The Rangers and Lightning meet for the second time in less than a week, this time at MSG. Saturday, the Blueshirts rode big plays from Artem Anisimov and Derek Stepan in the third period to erase a 2-1 deficit in what was eventually a 4-2 victory. Tonight's game might even be more difficult as an already patchwork Rangers defense now has to deal with the absence of Michael Sauer; sidelined with a concussion following a check by Dion Phaneuf.

With Sauer out, the gameplan is to keep Girardi and McDonagh together, move Eminger up to play with MDZ, who is also banged up after sliding hard into the boards Monday, and insert Stralman into the lineup to play with Woywitka. Personally, I would split the top pairing, play Girardi with MDZ, as Girardi can be the more defensibe responsible of the two, allowing MDZ room to rush while McDonagh can play both ways while paired with Eminger. If the pairings stay as expected, the only good news is that the Rangers are at home, allowing them the final player shift so that Torts can match the top line against the Stamkos line as much as possible. However, that said, it's not as if TB is a one line team given Stamkos, St. Louis, Lecavalier, Malone, Purcell and Downie, so the second and possibly third pairings will have to hold their own as Girardi and McDonagh can't play 60 minutes. In addition, there is no cavalry about to ride in to save the day as Tim Erixon is dealing with his own injury as he is banged up at Connecticut and no deals appear to be directly on the horizon.

Monday, the Rangers were beaten due to excellent early speed and late physical play by Toronto. The Blueshirts have to focus on controlling the neutral zone and dictating play with their own forecheck, rather than getting beaten to the punch, which has happened in several games this year, including many wins as they made third period comebacks. Torts has to try and roll four lines, allowing the forwards to get in a groove and not overburdening the top two lines, especially since backchecking will now take on even greater importance due to the undermanned defense. If ever there was a time for Hank to really be on top of his game, now is it as he may need to carry the squad for a bit until either Sauer returns or the 4-6 defensemen step up.

The forward lines tonight will be the same as in the past several games:
Anisimov-Gaborik-Stepan
Fedotenko-Richards-Callahan
Hagelin-Mitchell-Boyle
Avery-Dubinsky-Prust

Mike Rupp, who had surgery on November 9, is skating with his teammates wearing a non-contact jersey and hopes are that he could be back within two weeks. In addition, MZA has been tearing up in Connecticut on a line with Newbury and Deveaux and could force his way into the lineup if he keeps it up.

I have already given my views on Realignment, but feel free to carry on the conversation from the prior blog

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