The Rangers return to action off a disappointing 2-1 loss to Anaheim in a game that I felt they played better than has been portrayed by several in the media and in the comments to the blog. If the game against the Ducks was a step up in class, a similar event occurs tonight, just a migration from the Western to Eastern Conference and within the division, adding some juice to the contest. Pittsburgh right now is the class of the conference and the division. A win would get the Rangers back on track and narrow what is already a wide gulf - 10 points ahead of the Rangers and six ahead of second place Washington - within the division, affectionately known by Carp as Leastern Division.
Much of the conversation the past day has centered around the possible acquisition or interest in Nail Yakupov; the interest in which may be a direct correlation as to the status of Rick Nash. The possible trade permutations have been discussed ad nauseum, ad infinitum in the blog comments, so I won't regurgitate that here. The one thing I will say, and Old School #6 wrote it, " I keep thinking to myself if the Rangers offered Krieder, MDZ and a 1st, it should have been a done deal already." Of course, that depends on if Kreider (why deal a scorer to get another scorer when augmentation not replacement is needed) is the main target or MDZ who is another version of Justin Schultz and why I would be a bit surprised if he was the centerpiece of any deal for Edmonton, though I am still high on him and think league is as well) is, or they are holding out for McDonagh (non-starter to me) or Staal (possible, but prefer not). I have seen suggestions of possibly including Hagelin, but that loss of speed, a PK option and a forward who has some scoring skill is one I would hate to lose, but could understand that type of deal. Also, if this does happen, the pressure on Yakupov would be immense coming here and can he mentally handle it and excel?
On the Nash front, much was made by the competing reporting by Darren Millard, John Spector and Steve Zipay yesterday. The Rangers today said nothing had changed, but did we expect anything different? If the reporters see him skate, that will raise hopes for everyone and since there is no clear-cut timetable for his return, why say anything? Use the status quo line rather than falsely raising hopes that could be dashed since post-concussion symptoms clear up differently for each individual. I would love Nash to be back by Thanksgiving, but I doubt it. Maybe like Marc Staal he comes back for a Winter Classic, in this case the Stadium Series, and we go from there.
Lineup:
Kreider-Stepan-Zuccarello Hagelin-Richards-Callahan Pyatt-Boyle-Pouliot Dorsett-Brassard-Miller
McDonagh-Girardi Staal-Stralman Moore-Del Zotto
Lundqvist
As I wrote yesterday, Interesting that Brassard is on the fourth line, though it shouldn't be given some of the comments made today by AV on him. Larry Brooks wrote how Brassard is outing pressure on himself. To me, everyone has pressure on themselves. Fourth liners to stay in the league. Scorers to score. Elite players to dominate. That doesn't change, so if he feels pressure, good, he should as there are expectations on him and that he should have on himself, so admitting it is not a sign of weakness or any different than what should be occurring. Plus, the view that Scott Arniel may be adversely impacting him is also to me a convenient excuse and has minimal bearing here. Thought they were going to use Boyle on wing again on the third line. Pouliot has been dropped down, which could be a result of his benching during yesterday's game. Personally, I would play Pouliot with Miller and Brassard and Pyatt with Boyle and Dorsett but that still could happen.
Speaking of pressure, there are questions on if JT Miller will stick here or should he be seeing top-line minutes in the AHL. If you are not going to use him and retard his growth, then send him down. If you are actually going to give him a shot, play Miller with Brassard and Pouliot, so he has a shot at scoring and making a difference, rather than on the fourth line. Plus, if you send him down, who are playing? Mashinter? Then just say the bottom six will do nothing and we will live and die on the top-six, unless a deal is made. Kristo? He can't play defense. Lindberg? How would using him over Miller change the situation? All it does is change the name in the situation as to the usage question. In addition, Dominic Moore is not ready to return, but when he does come back, maybe within a week, Miller or Mashinter will be the odd man out, so Moore could play with Boyle and Dorsett and Brassard with Pouliot and either Pyatt (ugh) or Miller.
I expect Talbot to play tomorrow on Reunion Thursday.
For the Penguins take, see Ryan Wilson's blog: http://www.hockeybuzz.com/blog/Ryan-Wilson/GAMEDAY-Penguins-and-Rangers-Meet-For-A-Tilt-On-NBCSN/177/55457
Another big test tonight for our Blueshirts. With Scuderi out, you need to be physical with the Pittsburgh D, especially the top-four, since only Orpik has a real physical edge with Letang, Martin and Niskanen more skilled than physical. We know the challenge when facing Pittsburgh due to their high-end skill, but if the Rangers play like they did against Anaheim and get rid of the bad turnovers, I think they can and will win.