The Rangers take on the Penguins in Game 3 of their series Tuesday at MSG. Beginning Tuesday, the games are finally on the usual one off day between games pattern, unlike the three days we have seen between Games 1 and 2 and 2 and 3. If there is any hallmark to the first two games played and preparation for Game 3, it's been discussing who will be in and out and incorporating injured players back into the lineup.
Practice Monday had the following lines:
Kreider-Stepan-Zuccarello Miller-Brassard-Nash EStaal-Hayes-Fast Glass-Moore-Stalberg
MStaal-Klein Yandle-McIlrath Skjei-Boyle McDonagh-Diaz
Lundqvist
It's the bolded one that has gotten the most attention. We all knew Raphael Diaz was going to be called up Monday and practice with the team. What we didn't know, based on the information - or misinformation to date - was that Ryan McDonagh, out since blockong Brandon Dubinsky's shot with his right hand on April 4, would also practice, since it was reported Sunday that he wouldn't. Monday, both McDonagh and Diaz were extras though it's feasible both or at least could be in the lineup Tuesday.
What do we know? Dan Girardi is out with his undisclosed injury. I discussed in Monday's blog most of the permutations if or when he is ready, but that will be a discussion for another day. Keith Yandle, Kevin Klein and Marc Staal are locks to play. You could also say Brady Skjei is pretty close to a lock, based on AV's comments coupled with Skjei improved play game-by-game. As others have pointed out, the coach's decision to have Skjei play the right side when he was sent in March looks awfully prescient right now. With two days off, I would be shocked if Dan Boyle is not in the lineup, though if both McDonagh and Diaz are ready, there's a very outside possibility he could be in the press box.
Now the fun part of the equation. If McDonagh is deemed ready, he will be in. The obvious question will be where and with whom. I kind of laid this out yesterday but figure McDonagh is on the top line with Klein or Staal and McIlrath gets scratched, though as noted above, Boyle could be the odd man out. That means McD-Klein, Yandle-Staal, Skjei-Boyle
Diaz is clearly healthy but the question is does he play. If McDonagh is back, there is reduced chance Diaz plays, since that would require McIlrath and probably Boyle to be scratch. Now, if McD isn't ready but AV decides for some reason Diaz should play - possibly because he too can play either side and is a puck-moving d-man that saw second line PP time today - McIlrath could be the one sat. Presuming that happens, Yandle-Diaz is the probable combination. We may not know until practice but more likely closer to game time, who is in and out.
For Pittsburgh, Matt Murray returned to practice for the first time since he suffered a concussion in the last game of the regular season. If Murray or Marc-Andre Fleury, out with a concussion since March 31 but practiced the last few days, can play, look for either one of them to be in over Jeff Zatkoff, who started Games 1 and 2. Either of them playing basically completes the return from injury of all the key Penguins.
As I wrote yesterday, Pittsburgh got Maatta back in Game 1 and Malkin in Game 2. Maatta though has struggled mightily and he could be a healthy scratch Wednesday, possibly for Justin Schultz. Malkin saw time at wing on Sidney Crosby's line after starting at center on the third line. Coach Mike Sullivan needs to determine where to play Malkin, as he didn't break up the Carl Hagelin-Bonino-Kessel line to start the game. Look for Malkin either on the first line with Sidney Crosby and Hornqvist or Sullivan could move Hagelin or Bonino down to third line and play Malkin at center or wing on the second line. Dave Maloney said on the radio that it might be better for the Rangers if Crosby and Malkin were on the same line since the "lack of blueline depth" for New York wouldn't be exposed that way. I don't agree with that since having to go against two elite players would be no picnic regardless of the defensive pairing.
The Rangers will go with the same 12 up front. That means Oscar Lindberg and Marek Hrivik will be healthy scratches again. Hard to argue a change should be made after the win and performance Saturday. But, the Rangers still have to be a lot better in front of Lundqvist, including the fourth line, who allowed three point blank wide open shots from the slot in the final minute and were fortunate Hank stopped them.
The Rangers will have to come out with the same intensity, desperation and passion they showed in Game 2. In addition, they will have to match or exceed the physical effort expended in the win while also doing their best to stay out of the box, as the Penguins already have three power-play goals. Grease and dirt mixed with some flash and dash to limit Pittsburgh's open space and time to make plays. On paper, that should be easy, but as we have seen and as Carp pointed it, this has been a major issue the past several seasons.
"Despite much success, this core group, in its 12 playoff series the past four seasons, has had trouble maintaining that urgency throughout series. The Rangers are 5-3 in Game 3s of 1-1 series during those four springtimes.But they are a disturbing 10-21 following victories within series, and that includes four wins following wins in the two series in which they trailed 3-1 and came back to win, vs. Pittsburgh in 2014 and Washington last year. That’s why they have had to go to the wall – to a Game 7 – seven times (6-1)."
So flip the switch when it comes to past history in this regard. Game 3 Tuesday night at MSG. Settle in as the series finally starts a normal schedule with this game. Bring your lunch pail and hard hat and end the evening up 2-1 in the series.