The Rangers complete their pre-Xmas break schedule with a contest tonight against the Ducks. The game marks the return of Carl Hagelin, who tallied a goal last night against the Isles but like the rest of that team has struggled this season. Of course, it's kind of hard not to use the word struggling and not think of the Blueshirts, who are 3-9-2 in their last 14 games and have been even worse than that lately.
Lineup vs. Washington:
Nash-Brassard-Miller. Kreider-Stepan-Fast. Glass-Hayes-Zuccarello. Lindberg-Moore-Etem.
In an attempt to shake up the lineup, AV shifted the lines for Sunday's game against the Caps. Viktor Stalberg was scratched, Mats Zuccarello shifted to the third line to try and boost Kevin Hayes, though that move was offset by them being joined on that line by Tanner Glass. It worked in the first when NY scored three goals but that was it, so it's back to the drawing board.
Lineup against Anaheim:
Nash-Stepan-Fast Kreider-Brassard-Zuccarello Lindberg-Hayes-Miller Glass-Moore-Etem
Tonight, the moves may make even less sense. JT Miller has shown he deserves to be in the top-six, as despite the horrific play around him, his game has been one of the few to be stepped up. Emerson Etem also deserves a better fate, based on his play the last six games. Why move Stepan away from Kreider, after they showed some chemistry last game. Put Miller with Brass and Nash, place Etem either on the second or third line and if he is on the second, use Kreider with Hayes on the third. I would go Etem on the third and Fast on the fourth, but what do I know.
Staal-McDonagh Yandle-McIlrath Summers-Boyle
On defense, why play Staal with McDonagh? Most of the year, the big issue has been that McDonagh has had to carry Girardi, and when you add that to all his other responsibilities, it has resulted in a somewhat disappointing year. So now, AV sticks him with another struggling d-man. I get not breaking up McI and Yandle, but I would have moved McI up to the top duo. Then go with Staal on the second pairing. If not, the maybe move Boyle up and have Staal on the third line.
Kevin Klein, out since November 30 with a strained oblique, practiced today but will not play. The earliest he will be back is Monday against Nashville. That will be about a month after he was first hurt, which is in line with the 4-6 weeks I thought he would be out rather than 2-3 that was first announced. In addition, Dan Girardi, sidelined with a swollen knee for the past week or so, also practiced and won't go tonight. He too could be back Monday.
The Blueshirts will be the White Shirts tonight, as they will be switching up which jersey that will wear. I am unsure if this is a way to change their luck or going with the Winter White but I like it. Now, get a win over a team that is struggling and played/lost last night and go into the break on a mild high note.