Late Update: The Rangers announced at 5:15 PM that Rick Nash will not play tonight and Chris Kreider is in. This likely relates to the unpenalized hit he took from Milan Lucic against Boston last week that made him questionable Sunday and had many of us believing he was suffering from a concussion. However, he played Sunday and looked fine, so it may be a type of nagging injury that flared up today. We are awaiting official word on the cause for his absence. Look for Marian Gaborik to move up to the top line and Kreider to get a shot on the second line.

The Rangers (8-5-1) complete a three-game, mini home stand Tuesday against the Canadiens (10-4-1). New York enters the game off a 2-1 win against Washington on Sunday, while Montreal has won four straight, including a 3-0 win over Carolina on Monday. Tonight marks the return to MSG of Brandon Prust, who signed a four-year, $10 million deal this offseason with the Canadiens.

Montreal has received solid goaltending from Carey Price, who may be en route to the finest campaign of his career. In addition, Rene Bourque has been hot lately and Tomas Plekanec is rebounding nicely from his disappointing 2011-12 season. On the flip side, David Desharnais is struggling following his breakthrough 2011-12 season while PK Subban is rounding into form after signing late. Obviously, much of the focus will be on Prust's return. Most of us did not want to see him leave and had hoped the Rangers would have re-signed him during the year. There was no way, given other cap concerns, short- and long-term, that the Rangers were going to pay him $2.5 per for four years. That said, the team does miss his energy and presence with Boyle on the PK. As many said, it wouldn't be surprising if he got into a dust up and he should get a nice ovation when he takes the ice for the first time tonight.

New York will be without Darroll Powe, who was placed on IR yesterday after suffering a concussion Sunday night against the Capitals. In his place, the team will utilize Brandon Mashinter after calling him up from Hartford. Mashinter had played well for the Whale, tallying 11 points in 14 games, but will be used on the fourth line Tuesday. The key question for him will be matchups, as a Mashinter-Halpern-Asham line lacks foot speed, something Powe contributed a bit of, so Torts will need to be careful how he deploys them. Powe's absence hurts the Rangers' PK, so look for Brian Boyle to see more time there and Rick Nash might also get a look there, possibly alongside Halpern or Boyle, as the Rangers look to remain in the top-10 in the league (currently sit eighth at 48-for-57, 84.2%).

With Mashinter in, that means Chris Kreider and Stu Bickel will be scratched. Most of the comments on yesterday's blog, and in fact many of the blogs lately, concerns the manner in which Kreider is being used and treated. My view is that yes there is much to gain from watching in the press box. However, that only goes so far. I understand the view that playing him five minutes a game would retard his growth, balanced by others who think that if he starts on the third line, he could move up and down as game conditions warrant since Torts has shown the tendency to mix-and-match when needed. That said, my view is if you are not going to use, let him play consistently in the AHL. Kreider had struggled earlier this year and could use having several dominant/solid games to rebuild his confidence. Having him here and not using actually makes the situation worse because he has already sat in the press box and not much more can be gained from that being a nightly occurrence. He needs to play, if not, his growth will be retarded even more.

Tonight could be a contrast of styles, with Montreal looking to use their foot speed to gain the tactical and territorial advance, while New York will focus on imposing their physical will and countering when the opportunity arises. The Rangers have been better defensively lately, contributing to their recent 4-0-1 mark in the past five games, so avoiding odd-man breaks as a result of the Canadiens' speed will be an interesting sub-plot to keep an eye on.

Lineup (including Mashinter)

Hagelin-Stepan-Nash
Gaborik-Richards-Callahan
Pyatt-Boyle-Miller
Mashinter-Halpern-Asham

McDonagh-Girardi
Staal-Stralman
Del Zotto-Gilroy

(MDZ played 24:17 the other night in what might have been his best game of the season. His ability to transitional from D to O may be key to take advantage if Montreal gets caught pinching in)

Lundqvist

After tonight, the Rangers head on the road for two games,. Ottawa on Thursday and a rematch with Montreal on Saturday. They then return home for three straight, which will give them 14 of the first 21 at home, but they will then play 10 of the remaining 13 in March on the road, including four- and three-game road trips.

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