Photo: LoHud

Photo: LoHud

December is a big month for the Rangers. After losing a sloppy game at home against the Jets, the Rangers played better in their win in Buffalo. Now the Devils are in town to kick off nine straight home games for the Blueshirts. Beating Jersey is very important, as the Rangers are two points up on the Devils with a game in hand, but taking hold of this nine game home stretch and rattling off six or seven wins is more important. This is a team that is 5-6 at home, and that cannot continue. They need wins, and this is the best stretch for them to collect them.

The Devils employ a 1-2-2 forecheck which they’ll use aggressively in the offensive zone or passively in the neutral zone as a trap depending on game situation. In the defensive zone, Deboer employs a hybrid overload/zone defensive system depending on whether the puck is along the boards or at mid-ice.

On special teams, the Devils employ an umbrella/1-3-1 power playOn the penalty kill, the Devs rotate between a box and a diamond depending on puck location and the setup of the opposition.

Rangers Lineup:

Chris Kreider-Derek Stepan-Rick Nash
Mats Zuccarello-Brad Richards-Ryan Callahan
Carl Hagelin-Derick Brassard-J.T. Miller
Brian Boyle-Dominic Moore-Taylor Pyatt

Ryan McDonagh-Dan Girardi
Marc Staal-Anton Stralman
John Moore-Justin Falk

Henrik Lundqvist gets the start.

Scratches: Derek Dorsett (wrist), Benoit Pouliot (healthy), Michael Del Zotto (healthy)

Game time is 7pm today. Don’t forget to check out our Rangers Tickets link for deals to attend games.

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