NYR Leading Scorer: Marian Gaborik (26-17-43)
NJD Leading Scorer: Patrik Elias (18-33-51)

NYR Goaltender: Henrik Lundqvist (38 GS, 1.82 GAA, .940 SV%)
NJD Goaltender: Martin Brodeur (34 GS, 2.75 GAA, .900 SV%)

Rangers Lines (probable):

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

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

King Henrik gets the start.

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

Preview: The Rangers are really firing on all cylinders right now and they are getting offense from all over the lineup without sacrificing defensive play. This is what elite teams do.

Despite looking a little better against Philadelphia, the power play is obviously still a concern, but hopefully the Rangers can continue getting good shots on net while on the advantage. Even if they can’t solve the Devils PK, making Brodeur “work for ‘em” will be a step in the right direction.

My judging eyes are still locked on Brad Richards. Three points in the last five games is a step in the right direction, but I’m still not seeing him aggressively pursue the puck. He still isn’t skating with the confidence that we were used to seeing in Dallas.

Crazy Thought: Is Clarkson man enough to take on Rupp?

Opponent’s Blog: Pucks And Pitchforks

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

NYR Leading Scorer: Marian Gaborik (25-16-41)
NJD Leading Scorer: Claude Giroux (20-39-59)

NYR Goaltender: Henrik Lundqvist (37 GS, 1.82 GAA, .940 SV%)
NJD Goaltender: Ilya Bryzgalov (36 GS, 2.83 GAA, .900 SV%)

Rangers Lines (probable):

Carl Hagelin-Derek Stepan-Marian Gaborik
Artem Anisimov-Brad Richards-Ryan Callahan
Ruslan Fedotenko-Brian Boyle-Brandon Prust
Brandon Dubinsky-Mike Rupp-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), Steve Eminger (healthy)

Preview: Another day, another date with the Flyers. The last time these two teams met, it was at Citizens Bank Park for the Winter Classic, and ended in a 3-2 Rangers victory. In fact, the Rangers have done pretty well against the Flyers, winning all three matchups against their division rival, outscoring them 9-4 in the process.

This game is going to be like all the others. It will be physical, brutal, and a grinding game. The Rangers will deploy Dan Girardi and Ryan McDonagh against the Claude Giroux/Jaromir Jagr connection, which will be the biggest key to the game. Shut down that line, and the Rangers will win. Don’t, and the Rangers will hand the Flyers their first win against the Blueshirts of the year.

Getting a powerplay goal or two might help too.

Crazy Thought: It’s a powerplay goal!

Opponent’s Blog: Flyers Fan Central

Game time is 1:00pm on NBC Sports, AM1050, and XM214.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.