The Rangers return from the Xmas break to face the Capitals tonight. Of course, it wouldn't be a Blueshirts game without some portion of the fanbase up in arms. The line and d-pairings shifts started the upheaval, punctuated by the change between the pipes.
Lines tonight:
Rick Nash - Mika Zibanejad - Mats Zuccarello Chris Kreider - David Desharnais - Jimmy Vesey Michael Grabner - Kevin Hayes - J.T. Miller (reunited as a unit) Paul Carey - Boo Nieves - Pavel Buchnevich.
Ryan McDonagh- Nick Holden Brady Skjei - Marc Staal Brendan Smith - Kevin Shattenkirk
Ondrej Pavelec
The blender was out in full effect over the break. Zib has a pair of new linemates while Desh is now the #2c - at least per the list above - with Kreider now on his line. The third line is back to what started the season, with Miller shifting back to his natural wing spot. The fourth line is two-thirds the same, but the change is a big one, as Buch was moved down.
I will admit, too much is made of line combinations, especially since they change during the game. But keeping the KZB trio together because Zib has only been back three games would make sense to me. Nash plays in all three zones while Zucc competes on every shift, so having that line isn't an anathema to me. The third line is really the second line and I expect that trio on against Kuz and Ovie.
If Miller isn't the 3c, it will be Desh. Why he is listed as the 2c, to me he is the third line pivot. If the top line is now NZ-squared, then Kreider has to be on with Desh, as the duo were paired when Zib was out. Vesey has improved his game, but he is better suited to the fouth line than Buch, so why not just reunite the whole line that was together for nine games? Buchnevich's play has tailed off but he is a talent that needs consistent minutes. I get he will play on the PP, but I would swap him and Vesey. The fun part becomes what happens when Fast returns, which might happen against Detroit, since who sits? Is it Carey, who should play, or Nieves, the same, or is it Desh? If Desh, does Miller move back to center? I expect a resolution and acquisition of a third line center before too long.
On the blue line, the top pairing stays together. Why, I have no idea. Try Staal again with McDonagh (who is playing his 500th NHL game tonight) or go full-bore and play Skeji with the captain. That hurts the bottom trio, but why not roll the top-four extended minutes and see what happens. If not, give McD and 'Kirk another run or McD and Smith. Now, you have Skjei and Staal, which I gives is like going a lite McD-Staal pairing and, Smith goes back to his natural left side opposite Shattenkirk. My issue isn't so much with the bottom-four but the top pairing and also, how are you allocating minutes?
Between the pipes, it's a matchup of backups, as Pavelec will take on Phillip Grubauer rather than the Caps No. 1 goalie Braden Holtby. AV indicated today that Pavelec was told before the break that he would start against Washington, allowing Lundqvist a few full days of rest and relaxation, knowing he would be off. I get to an extent why you would play Pavelec, as Lundqvist has been used heavily this year. Maybe Pavelec plays like he did against Pittsburgh or Dallas. But to me, the better call would have been Hank tonight, Pavelec against Detroit and Hank on New Years' Day. Now, Hank will go Friday and Sunday rather than having the holiday break, game, four days off and another game.
We will know tonight if AV's calls are the right ones. I know everyone has first guessed already - including me - and ripped the coach for the moves. The joys of being a coach in NYC.