I will keep this blog brief since much of what we could discuss has already been hashed and rehashed over and over. The goal-scoring issues are well documented. Same for the challenge to Michael Del Zotto and potential implications if he struggles again. The time for rhetoric and discussion are long over, just find a way to win.
In my opinion, and I have said this before, if the Rangers play like they have been playing lately, eventually it will turn. The talent, though maybe not the finishers, are there. They have been carrying play but just unable to pierce what at times looks like a force field in net. It gets no easier tonight against Kari Lehtonen and a hot Stars team. The West has certainly been the least for New York, seen in their one win - in Game 2 versus LA - so far this year against teams from the other conference.
You know what? So what. That's why games are not played on paper. Just find a way, any way, to get it done. Pressure the Stars as they did to Boston and I think they will come out victorious. The lines tonight are the same as against the Bruins, meaning JT Miller is a healthy scratch again. The decision to go with the status quo is based on how the team played in the loss, regardless if we agree with the move, I can understand it.
Nash-Richards-Callahan, Kreider-Stepan-Zuccarello, Hagelin-Brassard-Pouliot, Boyle-D. Moore-Dorsett
The sole change as we discussed is MDZ getting back in the lineup. Justin Falk, who played pretty well in Del Zotto's stead, is scratched. If MDZ plays well and John Moore struggles a bit, I could see him getting scratched against Nashville with Falk stepping back in for him.
Bill Metzer has a good look at the Stars in his blog: http://www.hockeybuzz.com/blog/Bill-Meltzer/Stars-Gameday-112113-vs-Rangers/148/55863
Let's Go Rangers!!! Find a way to get the road trip off to a good start with a win.