The Rangers will close 2016 against the struggling Avalanche. Colorado is just 2-8-0 in their last 10 while New York is 7-3-0 in that stretch. The Rangers look to win their third in a row to end 2016 on a high note. In addition, it's a welcome home of sorts for Nick Holden, who came to the Rangers from Colorado for a fourth-round pick at this past year's NHL draft.
The lineup tonight is likely what most of us expected, though the d-man combinations are not. Henrik Lundqvist will make his first start in three games, after missing the last two due to the flu. With back-to-back games Tuesday and Wednesday, it's possible that Lundqvist faces Philly on Wednesday with Antti Raanta making the start against Buffalo on Tuesday. Though, AV may decide to go with Lundqvist in both, especially if he has a strong start tonight.
The lineup:
Kreider-Stepan-Zuccarello Vesey-Hayes-Grabner Miller-Lindberg-Fast Puempel-Hrivik-Pirri
McDonagh-Klein Staal-Holden Skjei-Girardi
Lundqvist
AV is sticking with the revised first and third pairings. McD-Klein wasn't horrible Thursday but the Skjei-G pairing was. More accurate is that G was horrible, so I am a bit surprised at this move. But what it does show is that G's ice time will continue to decline and it may only be a matter of time before Skjei is moved up. Where that leaves G is to be determined.
Have a happy and safe New Year's Eve.