The Rangers take on the Capitals in DC tonight. New York comes in off a 4-1 loss to Pittsburgh yesterday; a game that a 1-0 lead was lost on three goals in 99 seconds. In addition, Henrik Lundqvist suffered neck spasms when run into by Ryan McDonagh and was pulled after the second period.
Lundqvist will not play tonight and Magnus Hellberg was called up on an emergency basis. The plan might had been to play Antti Raanta tonight with Hank going yesterday. But that plan was called into question with Lundqvist missing the third period with the injury, replaced by Raanta. The thought process was that if Lundqvist was healthy, since he didn't play the whole game Thursday maybe he could go today. The injury scuttles that thought and if the spasms don't subside sufficiently, it's possible that Lundqvist also sits Sunday against the Islanders.
I am not going to ready into the baby stuff comment by Marc-Andre Fleury. Sean Hartnett did a real good job today of writing about it (http://newyork.cbslocal.com/2016/03/04/marc-andre-fleury-henrik-lundqvist-rangers-penguins/). Just interesting that Braden Holtby defended Lundqvist while Fleury did not. Maybe it's because the team's are playing tonight but may speak more to Holtby's rather than Fleury's character.
Offensively, the 12 skaters in the lineup are likely the same. In the prior blog, I speculated with maybe using McIlrath on the fourth line but I doubt that happens today and that export moment didn't work out that well last time it was used. But part of that might have been McIlrath's inexperience there and he didn't see much time in that role that game.
The main question and one that will remain for a while is which line and where is Eric Staal playing? My view, which I have made well-known, is that he should be on the wing with Zucc and Brassard in the top six. Keep Kreider-Stepan-Miller as a group, use Lindberg-Hayes-Stalberg with a fourth line of Glass-Moore-Fast. I might move Fast up and either Stalberg or Lindberg down. If keeping Fast on the second line, then play Staal at wing and Hayes at center, where he is more comfortable and better. In addition, if there is enough cap room, call back up Marek Hrivik, who I thought played well in the four games he was active, and use him I the fourth line. That gives you options who to sit and strengthens that line substantially. In addition, New York can still experiment a bit but have to be cautious not to go crazy with a playoff spot still long from clinched.
Washington tonight and Islanders on Sunday. After last night's loss, getting back on track quickly will be paramount. Not an easy task against the Capitals. I expect the D to be better, which has been the case a lot when the backup is between the pipes. The need now is to get the offense going, as it has hit the skids a bit. No better time like tonight to do so.