The Rangers head to Pittsburgh to take on the Penguins in a rematch of Tuesday's contest won by New York 5-0. For New York, it was one of the most complete and obviously best games of the season, while for Pittsburgh, I thought they played better and had more chances than a 5-0 loss would indicate. The Rangers followed up that solid game with an inconsistent one, losing 4-3 in a shootout to the Avalanche. Pittsburgh played Friday, beating Toronto 2-1 at the Air Canada Center.

For the Rangers, the strategy for the game is clear: more of the same. No, I am not expected a 5-0 win, but the energy level and attention to detail needs to be similar to Tuesday's contest. If they come out as they did Thursday, Pittsburgh will blow them out of the water. In the win over Pittsburgh, Henrik Lundqvist helped make up for any mistakes the team made, a similar refrain likely will need to be the case tonight.

New York goes with the same lineup that played Thursday. That means Anthony Duclair will be scratched for the third time. Larry Brooks in the Post and Russ Cohen on this site have given their views, which differ from each other. The topic calls for a whole blog from me, which will come, but I will say both views have kernels of what I believe. In short, benching Duclair should only last so long, not solely limited to his development, but for how I believe the fourth line should be constructed. With Duclair on the third, the fourth line would be better suited to play as the Rangers want by having Lee Stempniak on it.

RANGERS

Forwards:
Rick Nash-Derick Brassard-Martin St. Louis,
Chris Kreider-Derek Stepan-Mats Zuccarello
Carl Hagelin-Kevin Hayes-Lee Stempniak
Tanner Glass-Dominic Moore-Jesper Fast

Defensemen:
Marc Staal-Dan Girardi
John Moore-Dan Boyle
Matt Hunwick-Kevin Klein

Starting goaltender:
Henrik Lundqvist
(Cam Talbot backup)

PENGUINS

Forwards:
Chris Kunitz-Sidney Crosby- Pascal Dupuis
Nick Spaling-Evgeni Malkin-Patric Hornqvist
Beau Bennett-Brandon Sutter-Steve Downie
Zach Sill-Marcel Goc-Craig Adams

Defensemen:
Paul Martin-Kris Letang
Christian Ehrhoff-Robert Bortuzzo
Rob Scuderi-Simon Despres

Starting goaltender:
Marc-Andre Fleury
(Thomas Greiss backup)

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