The Rangers attempt to exact some revenge on the Devils for the 4-0 beat down New Jersey delivered to New York on October 19 when the two teams face-off tonight at MSG. As I wrote in my prior blog, that loss was the low point of the season, and if the recent upswing continues, we all may look back to that game and the furor after it as the turning point of the season. It will be a match-up of two hot teams, with the Rangers 6-1 in their last seven while New Jersey is 4-2-2 in their last eight games.
Todd Cordell has the Devils look here and highlights in it how hot Jaromir Jagr is (10 points in 10 games), how he expects Travis Zajac to once again mark the top-line (meaning he will match up against Brad Richards), the fine play of Martin Brodeur and the Devils' PK (6-for-6 Sunday and up to 6th in league for the season).
I think we have talked about the driving topics a lot lately and the reason for the upward swing for the Rangers lately. If you want to discuss the latest Nail Yakupov rumors along with the impact of Larionov's comments and what that might mean for the Rangers, feel free, but given where we are now, I think we have nearly all the permutations associated with a possible trade. It's getting to be lather, rinse, repeat exercise we are regurgitating the same info with maybe a slight twist to it. If something additional breaks or more concrete info comes out, I will be happy to address it, but will leave it for the comments section for now.
The fun match-up for tonight is Brodeur-Lundqvist. Hank is 28-13-5 with a 1.82 GAA, .934 SV% and seven shutouts in 46 career games against the Devils. The two goalies seem to have no love lost for another, continuing into the pre-season when comments by Brodeur on the impact of the goalie pad change seemed to be taking a shot at Lundqvist. Lundqvist appears to get up even more for contests against Brodeur, so with Marty expected to retire at year end, contests like these take on an even heightened scrutiny and focus.
Projected lines for the Rangers:
Carl Hagelin - Brad Richards - Ryan Callahan Chris Kreider - Derek Stepan - Mats Zuccarello Benoit Pouliot - Derick Brassard - Derek Dorsett Brandon Mashinter - Brian Boyle - J.T. Miller
Ryan McDonagh - Dan Girardi Marc Staal - Anton Stralman John Moore - Michael Del Zotto
Henrik Lundqvist
Notable injuries: Rick Nash, Dominic Moore and Taylor Pyatt
Projected lines for the Devils:
Dainius Zubrus - Travis Zajac - Jaromir Jagr Damien Brunner - Adam Henrique - Michael Ryder Mattias Tedenby - Andrei Loktionov - Steve Bernier Ryan Carter - Jacob Josefson - Cam Janssen
Andy Greene - Peter Harrold Anton Volchenkov - Marek Zidlicky Eric Gelinas - Adam Larsson
Martin Broduer
Notable injuries: Ryane Clowe, Patrik Elias, Stephen Gionta, Bryce Salvador, Jon Merrill.
A few other notes:
- Martin Biron make his debut as an analyst on MSG tonight. It will be interesting to see if he is critical of the Rangers if they struggle and I am looking forward to hearing his insights.
- Tickets for the Stadium Series go on sale on November 21 at 10AM. I think the use of the same Rangers logo is kind of boring, especially when compared to what was used for the Winter Classic.
- Rick Nash skated for the fourth straight day Tuesday, taking some shots in practice. The good news, besides seeing him on the ice, is that he knows that his return will be a long process and he feels no pressure, nor is he forcing his return. Nash, out since October 8, has to regain his conditioning, during which he will hopefully be able to ramp up his activities, then go to non-contact practice, followed by contact practices and ultimately games. The Rangers' recent hot streak has enabled him to be even smarter with his return, because there is no specific need to expedite his return. Of course, the big key is for him to go from step to step to step with no setbacks. (Update: Nash to return to practice with the team tomorrow. Will start out as an extra D as Callahan and Hagelin did until his conditioning is better and then will be added to a forward line. )
- Dominic Moore may be back Saturday against Montreal. If that happens, today could be Benoit Pouliot's last chance to stay in the lineup, since he may be the odd-man for Moore with Mashinter remaining active.
The Rangers are a different team from the one that was embarrassed at the Rock; more confident, more in tune with their system. Now, the goal is to maintain their style of play and send the Devils back through the Lincoln or Holland Tunnel with a loss.