The Rangers open a nine-game homestand facing one of their recent tormentors and division rival, the Devils. New York is 0-2 this season against New Jersey, who come in to the game fresh off a 3-1 loss against the Red Wings on Friday; a game in which they had just 11 shots. Of course, as was said in the blog comments, and a thought that likely every Rangers' had, that just means they will get 40 shots tonight and have their fourth line torment the team again.
It wouldn't be a Rangers' game unless there was another roster and lineup change. Yesterday, JT Miller, who was sent down on November 26, was called back up. It would be great to say that Miller was dominating in the AHL, but he played just six games there, scoring a goal in his first game while adding an assist, the adding four more his next five games. This transaction was more so to get what has been deadwood in Benoit Pouliot out of the lineup rather than reward Miller, though he clearly benefited from seeing top-six duty while in the minors. That said, the hope is that Miller will mesh well with Hagelin and Brassard to give the Rangers a viable scoring third line while the fourth line will be more of a defensive one. Of course, all bets are off once Derek Dorsett's wrist is healthy enough to let him play, since Taylor Pyatt could move up to the third line, though I believe he is better suited to the fourth one.
Kreider-Stepan-Nash Zucc-Richards-Callahan Hagelin-Brassard-Miller Boyle-D Moore-Pyatt
Vigneault indicated today why Pouliot is being scratched, and to many of us, this is a long-time coming. "Ben has been given a real fair opportunity and he hasn't played to ours and his expectations and tonight we will give the opportunity to someone else." On Pouliot's last chance, "I wouldn't want to look at the overall picture, I am just looking game to game and for this game right now I think that it gives us the best four lines we can put together."
On defense, the musical chairs game that is the sixth defenseman spot today resulted in Michael Del Zotto being the one left without one. Justin Falk gets back in and will be paired with John Moore once again. Del Zotto was not particularly good after Buffalo, but Vigneault should pick a pairing and live with it or give the odd-man out a real chance, rather than shifting back and forth.
McDonagh-Girardi Staal-Stralman Moore-Falk
Henrik Lundqvist will be between the pipes at home for the first time since signing his big contract extension. With an game against the Capitals tomorrow, it will be interesting to see if AV goes with him in the back-to-back. I expect that to be the case, especially since Vigneault had said he wanted to ride Lundqvist a bit, so what better opportunity that two games at home against division rivals.
Lundqvist
Another chance to break the win one, lose won pattern. Another chance to get two games over .500. Another chance to beat the Devils. What better way to make the most of a Saturday evening at MSG.
Let's Go Rangers!!!