Game 49 Preview: Rangers at Sabres

Standings: Sabres (21-24-5), Rangers (31-12-5)

NYR Leading Scorer: Marian Gaborik (25-16-41)
NJD Leading Scorer: Jason Pominville (17-30-47)

NYR Goaltender: Henrik Lundqvist (36 GS, 1.87 GAA, .940 SV%)
NJD Goaltender: Ryan Miller (31 GS, 2.99 GAA, .900 SV%)

Rangers Lines (probable):

Carl Hagelin-Derek Stepan-Marian Gaborik
Brandon Dubinsky-Brian Boyle-Ryan Callahan
Ruslan Fedotenko-Brad Richards-Brandon Prust
Mike Rupp-Artem Anisimov-John Mitchell

Ryan McDonagh-Dan Girardi
Marc Staal-Michael Del Zotto
Stu Bickel-Anton Stralman

Henrik Lundqvist gets the start.

Scratches/Injuries: Mike Sauer (concussion), Jeff Woywitka (foot), Wojtek Wolski (healthy), Erik Christensen (healthy), Steve Eminger (shoulder)

Preview: The last time the Rangers met the Sabres was in December, with the Rangers coming out on top 4-1. That is to be expected, as the Rangers have made it a habit of beating teams they are supposed to beat this year, and the Sabres are no different. This will be the second meeting between these two teams, and the Rangers should be expected to win a few more with the Sabres struggling so mightily.

The Sabres made a big splash in the offseason with trades and free agent signings, but nothing has worked out as planned. Couple that with an off year for Ryan Miller, and the Sabres are in the toilet this season. It’s gotten so bad that the Sabres are already rumored to be selling off some pieces this deadline.

Buffalo used to be a team that gave the Rangers trouble with their speed and constant forecheck, however that wasn’t the case in December. This could be a dangerous game for the Rangers, but they’ve been able to handle these forechecking teams –aside from Montreal– all year. Expect this to be a faster paced game.

Crazy Thought: Ville Leino earns his contract over the next six years.

Opponent’s Blog: Buffalo Sabres Nation

Game time is 7:30pm on NBC Sports, AM1050, and XM92.

Game Preview: Rangers vs. Devils

Standings: Devils (26-19-3), Rangers (31-12-4)

NYR Leading Scorer: Marian Gaborik (25-14-39)
NJD Leading Scorer: Patrik Elias (18-28-46)

NYR Goaltender: Martin Biron (11 GS, 1.87 GAA, .930 SV%)
NJD Goaltender: Martin Brodeur (31 GS, 2.77 GAA, .894 SV%)

Rangers Lines (probable):

Carl Hagelin-Derek Stepan-Marian Gaborik
Brandon Dubinsky-Brian Boyle-Ryan Callahan
Ruslan Fedotenko-Brad Richards-Brandon Prust
Mike Rupp-Artem Anisimov-John Mitchell

Ryan McDonagh-Dan Girardi
Marc Staal-Michael Del Zotto
Stu Bickel-Anton Stralman

Martin Biron gets the start.

Scratches/Injuries: Mike Sauer (concussion), Jeff Woywitka (foot), Wojtek Wolski (healthy), Erik Christensen (healthy), Steve Eminger (shoulder)

Preview: The last time these two teams met in December the Rangers defeated the Devils 4-1. Since that time the Devils have struggled to find consistency in their overall game. They beat the teams they should be beating and they lose to the teams you’d expect them to lose to. Mark of a mediocre team I suppose. With that said, Rangers/Devils games are never predictable and we shouldn’t take them for granted despite their injuries & 8th place standing.

Under Deboer, the Devils still trap up the neutral zone like they always have and are adept at limiting opposing offenses. Their penalty kill is among the league’s best, so that could play to their favor as the Rangers have been struggling this month to get consistency out of their offense.

With the dog days of the season in front of us, I wouldn’t be surprised if we saw some low scoring games. The Rangers are built to win in this fashion and tonight would be a good way to set the tone.

Crazy Thought: Zach Parise admits to John Giannone that he’s bored of living in Hoboken and is ready to move to Manhattan. Let the foreshadowing begin!

Opponent’s Blog: Pucks And Pitchforks

Game time is 7:00pm on MSG2 (listings), AM1050, and XM92.

2012 All Star Game Thread

A little late on this one, but here’s the game thread for the 2012 All Star Game. Lineups are below, with Marian Gaborik and Henrik Lundqvist starting for their respective teams:

Team Alfredsson:
Michalek – Spezza – Alfredsson
Couture – Giroux – Stamkos
Sedin – Sedin – Hartnell
Neal – Tavares – Pominville

Karlsson – Letang
Yandle – Weber
Edler – Girardi

Lundqvist – Quick – Elliott

Team Chara:
Gaborik – Datsyuk – Hossa
Perry – Malkin – Iginla
Lupul – Seguin – Kessel
Benn – Kane – Eberle

Chara – Campbell
Phaneuf – Wideman
Suter – Timonen

Howard – Price – Thomas

Game 47: Rangers vs. Jets

Standings: Jets (22-21-6), Rangers (30-12-4)

NYR Leading Scorer: Marian Gaborik (25-14-39)
Jets Leading Scorer: Blake Wheeler (9-24-33)

NYR Goaltender: Martin Biron (11 GS, 1.87 GAA, .930 SV%)
Jets Goaltender: Ondrej Pavelec (39 GS, 2.83 GAA, .910 SV%)

Rangers Lines (probable):

Carl Hagelin-Derek Stepan-Marian Gaborik
Brandon Dubinsky-Brian Boyle-Ryan Callahan
Ruslan Fedotenko-Brad Richards-Brandon Prust
Mike Rupp-Artem Anisimov-John Mitchell

Ryan McDonagh-Dan Girardi
Michael Del Zotto-Anton Stralman
Marc Staal-Stu Bickel

Martin Biron gets the start today.

Scratches/Injuries: Mike Sauer (concussion), Jeff Woywitka (foot), Wojtek Wolski (healthy)

Preview: This will be the Rangers last game before the break for the All Star Game, which appears to be a much needed break. The Rangers are finding ways to win despite certain aspects of their game (offense) taking nights (weeks) off. The Jets are a team that are in the bottom third in the conference in scoring and defense. They have a good young core in place, but are obviously missing some key pieces that can put it all together.

Blake Wheeler may be their leading scorer, but Evander Kane is the guy that most look to as their elite player. After all, anyone that knocks out Matt Cooke with one punch is A-OK in my book. The Jets are without Dustin Byfuglien tonight, but the highly touted Zach Bogosian has been playing very well in his stead.

I don’t watch much of the Winnipeg Jets of the Southeast Eastern Conference, so I don’t know much about how exactly they play. What is very obvious is that they get a lot of offense from their defense, so that is something for the Rangers to look out for.  The Rangers will need to watch out for those point men creeping in for opportunities. Bogosian and Tobias Enstrom are pretty good at that.

*Side note, as Suit noted for the Bruins game, don’t look too much into line combos, these are likely to change a lot throughout the game as Torts tries to find something to get the top six going.

Crazy Thought: The Rangers score more than two goals.

Opponent’s Blog: Jets Nation

Game time is 7:00pm on MSG2 (listings), AM970, and XM92.

Game 46: Rangers vs. Bruins

Standings: Bruins (30-13-1), Rangers (29-12-4)

Leading Scorer: Tyler Seguin (17-23-40)

Goaltender: Tim Thomas (29 GS, 2.02 GAA, .940 SV%)

Rangers Lines (probable):

Carl Hagelin-Derek Stepan-Marian Gaborik
Brandon Dubinsky-Brad Richards-Brandon Prust
Ruslan Fedotenko-Brian Boyle-Ryan Callahan
Artem Anisimov-John Mitchell-Mike Rupp

Ryan McDonagh-Dan Girardi
Michael Del Zotto-Anton Stralman
Marc Staal-Stu Bickel

Henrik Lundqvist gets the start today.

Scratches/Injuries: Mike Sauer (concussion), Jeff Woywitka (foot), Wojtek Wolski (healthy)

Suit’s take: The dog days of the NHL season are upon us folks. The Winter Classic is in our rear-view mirror and the playoffs are still a ways away. Despite the Rangers recent struggles (if you can even call it that), I personally still see the good in this team and I believe the Rangers can beat anybody with the personnel they have. They’re not perfectly built, but neither are the Bruins, who we will see today for the first time this season.

The Bruins are built in a similar fashion as the Rangers starting with great goaltending, a great shutdown defense, and a balanced offense. Tactically, the Bruins are a bit different. They execute lead-based trapping using the 1-4 or 1-2-2 neutral zone forecheck. However, if they don’t have the lead, they will send their power forwards in deep to play the body and force turnovers much like we do.

Special teams-wise, their team also supports a mediocre power play and an excellent penalty kill. These games can really go either way and I expect a close game.

*Side note, I wouldn’t get too caught up in the line permutations that are likely to take place from now until the All-star break. I expect to see some tinkering if our top 6 continues to be flat.

Crazy Thought: Richards, Dubi, and/or Boyle get on the board.

Opponent’s Blog: http://thebruinsblog.net/

Game time is 1:00pm on MSG, AM1050, and XM212.

Game 45: Rangers vs. Penguins

Standings: Penguins (24-17-4), Rangers (29-11-4)

Leading Scorer: Evgeni Malkin (22-30-52)

Goaltender: Marc-Andre Fleury (38 GP, 2.23 GAA, .910 SV%)

Rangers Lines (probable):

Carl Hagelin-Derek Stepan-Marian Gaborik
Brandon Dubinsky-Brad Richards-Ryan Callahan
Ruslan Fedotenko-Brian Boyle-Brandon Prust
Artem Anisimov-John Mitchell-Mike Rupp

Ryan McDonagh-Dan Girardi
Michael Del Zotto-Anton Stralman
Marc Staal-Stu Bickel

Henrik Lundqvist gets the start tonight.

Scratches/Injuries: Mike Sauer (concussion), Jeff Woywitka (foot), Wojtek Wolski (healthy)

Preview: It’s tough to say that any other team in the NHL has been more devastated by injuries than the Pittsburgh Penguins. They have been without Sidney Crosby all year, they were without Evgeni Malkin for a stretch, and their blue line has seen Zbynek Michalek, Paul Martin, Mark Letestu, and Kris Letang get injured at times. They get Letang back in the lineup tonight, solidifying their top four with Michalek, Martin, and Brooks Orpik. This is still a team without Crosby and Jordan Staal though.

Despite the injuries, the Penguins still love to play their relentless forechecking system, much like the Rangers. It’s why games between these two teams are so exciting. Aside from the rivalry, both teams employ a 2-1-2 forecheck which creates a lot of pressure and forces turnovers.

This is the third meeting between the two clubs, with the Rangers taking the first two games.

Crazy Thought: Malkin and Neal are held scoreless.

Opponent’s Blog: The Pens Blog

Game time tonight is 7:00pm on MSG, AM1050, and XM212.

Game 44: Rangers vs. Predators

Standings: Predators (26-15-4), Rangers (28-11-4)

Leading Scorer: Shea Weber (9-23-32)

Goaltender: Pekka Rinne (41 GP, 2.50 GAA, .920 SV%)

Rangers Lines (probable):

Carl Hagelin-Derek Stepan-Marian Gaborik
Brandon Dubinsky-Brad Richards-Ryan Callahan
Ruslan Fedotenko-Brian Boyle-Brandon Prust
Artem Anisimov-John Mitchell-Mike Rupp

Ryan McDonagh-Dan Girardi
Michael Del Zotto-Anton Stralman
Marc Staal-Stu Bickel

Henrik Lundqvist gets the start tonight.

Scratches/Injuries: Mike Sauer (concussion), Jeff Woywitka (foot), Wojtek Wolski (healthy)

Preview: As mentioned in my post this morning, the Predators just find a way to win games. They don’t exactly shut you down, they don’t exactly light you up, but they just win. They out grind you on a daily basis, and that has been their M.O. for years now. Due to the lack of scoring, the Preds are a traditional trapping team, so this game might be a bit of a boring one.

What the Preds lack in offense they make up for in star power on the blue line. A 1-2 punch of Shea Weber and Ryan Suter (scratched) is possibly the best 1-2 punch in hockey right now. Add Pekke Rinne (also scratched tonight) to the mix, and you have about 30 minutes of ice time where even top offensive teams will have trouble scoring.

Although they aren’t high scoring, the Preds do boast nine players with 20+ points at the midway point of the season. This is a team that is much like the Rangers in that they play a team game to win. Special teams again is a must, especially against a 1-2-2/1-4 trapping team like the Preds. This is a game with playoff implications for both teams, and although it might be boring, it is a crucial game.

Crazy Thought: Staal gets his first of the year.

Opponent’s Blog: Section 303

Game time tonight is 7:30pm on NBC Sports (formerly Versus), AM1050, and XM204.

Game 43: Rangers at Montreal

Standings: Canadiens (16-20-8), Rangers (28-10-4)

Leading Scorer: Tomas Plekanec (9-22-31)

Goaltender: Carey Price (39 GP, 2.40 GAA, .910 SV%)

Rangers Lines (probable)

Artem Anisimov-Derek Stepan-Marian Gaborik
Wojtek Wolski-Brad Richards-Ryan Callahan
John Mitchell-Brian Boyle-Carl Hagelin
Mike Rupp-Kris Newbury-Brandon Prust

Ryan McDonagh-Dan Girardi
Michael Del Zotto-Anton Stralman
Marc Staal-Stu Bickel

Henrik Lundqvist gets the start tonight.

Scratches/Injuries: Mike Sauer (concussion), Jeff Woywitka (foot), Brandon Dubinsky (shoulder), Ruslan Fedotenko (back)

Preview:Les Habitants are fresh off trading their leading scorer for Rene Bourque, the Canadiens are losers of three in a row and have essentially fallen out of the playoff race. These two teams have faced off twice, with each team getting a win. The Canadiens always play the Rangers tough, and Hank for some reason always seems to have an issue with the Habs, who ended the Rangers seven game win streak in November.

The Habs win when they are beating teams by capitalizing on turnovers in the neutral zone and on special teams, as all good trapping teams do. Their 1-2-2 trap has been both a strength and a weakness for them.

If the Rangers are going to defeat the Canadiens, they will need to be patient and not force long passes through these neutral zone schemes. They are also going to have to be careful with their sticks. We aren’t conspiracy theorists, but the stats show that the Candiens generally get ahem favorable treatment ahem when they are in town. Special teams will win this game.

Crazy Thought: Hank gets the shutout, making it two in a row for the Rangers.

Opponent’s Blog: Hockey Inside/Out

Game time tonight is 7:00pm on NBC Sports (formerly Versus), AM1050, and XM212.

Game 42: Rangers at Toronto

Standings: Leafs (22-16-5), Rangers (27-10-4)

Leading Scorer: Phil Kessel (24-24-48)

Goaltender: James Reimer (17 GP, 3.01 GAA, .900 SV%)

Rangers Lines (probable)

Artem Anisimov-Derek Stepan-Marian Gaborik
Wojtek Wolski-Brad Richards-Ryan Callahan
Ruslan Fedotenko-Brian Boyle-Carl Hagelin
Mike Rupp-John Mitchell-Brandon Prust

Ryan McDonagh-Dan Girardi
Michael Del Zotto-Anton Stralman
Marc Staal-Stu Bickel

Martin Biron gets the start tonight.

Scratches/Injuries: Mike Sauer (concussion), Jeff Woywitka (foot), Brandon Dubinsky (shoulder)

Preview: The Rangers can’t beat the Leafs this year, so it’s tough to call this a “trap” game. This is their third meeting, and the Leafs have won both meetings. With three All Stars, the Leafs are for real. They have a great offense and pretty solid defense. Goaltending is a concern, but that hasn’t stopped them from shutting down the Blueshirts this year.

The Rangers need to get back on track and show they can beat this team. There is a big possibility that they can meet in the first round of the playoffs, so it’s important to get one on the board in the regular season. It also helps to get a powerplay goal, but let’s aim small here.

Crazy Thought: Biron gets the shutout

Opponent’s Blog: Editor In Leaf

Game time tonight is 7:00pm on MSG2 (listings) and AM1600.

Editor’s Note: None of us are available to watch the game tonight, so there won’t be a recap tomorrow. If someone wants to volunteer to write it, by all means go ahead and do so, and email it to me at shapirodavidm[at]gmail[dot]com.

Game 41 Preview: Rangers vs. Senators

Standings: Senators (23-15-6), Rangers (27-9-4)

Leading Scorer: Jason Spezza (16-28-44)

Goaltender: Craig Anderson (39 GP, 3.08 GAA, .900 SV%)

Rangers Lines (probable)

Artem Anisimov-Derek Stepan-Marian Gaborik
Wojtek Wolski-Brad Richards-Ryan Callahan
Ruslan Fedotenko-Brian Boyle-Carl Hagelin
Mike Rupp-John Mitchell-Brandon Prust

Ryan McDonagh-Dan Girardi
Michael Del Zotto-Anton Stralman
Marc Staal-Stu Bickel

Henrik Lundqvist gets the start tonight.

Scratches/Injuries: Mike Sauer (concussion), Jeff Woywitka (healthy), Brandon Dubinsky (shoulder)

Preview: The last time these two teams met, the Rangers were on a roll, and the Senators were just another team that fell victim to the newly minted GAS line. That was on November 9, when the Senators were the surprise team in the East and earning a spot in the playoffs.

Now two months later, the Senators are still in the playoffs because of their high powered offense. The Sens are a bit of a mystery, as they have a negative goal differential and poor goaltending, but yet still remain in the playoff hunt. Their 1-2-2 hybrid trap works for creating turnovers, and they are skilled enough to capitalize when given the opportunity.

Despite their penchant for playing the 1-2-2, the Sens also have another gear they can turn too when needed. It’s how they have been so successful, as they give teams many different looks on the forecheck. This is a dangerous game for the Rangers, but most of them are now. For the first time in recent memory, the Rangers are the team with the target on their backs.

Crazy Thought: Hagelin gets three points.

Opponent’s Blog: SenShot

Game time tonight is 7:00pm on MSG, AM970 and XM213.