The Rangers close out 2013 against the Panthers fresh off their 4-3 win over the Lightning on Sunday. As I wrote in Monday's blog, to make it a good New Year, the Rangers will have to get a win against a Florida team that has given them fits is 6-4 in their last 10, ended a three-game losing streak Sunday in their 4-1 win over the Panthers, and getting really good play from Aleksander Barkov. The blue line welcomes back two injured players forcing two healthy scratches, one that all year has bounced in and out of the lineup.
Marc Staal, out since suffering a concussion against New Jersey, returns to the lineup for the first time since the December 7 injury. He will be paired with Conor Allen, so good in his debut Sunday that he remains in the active roster over several others. Also returning to the lineup is Anton Stralman, who missed Sunday's game with a strained left wrist that occurred last Friday while he attempted to pokecheck Alexander Ovechkin. Stralman will be paired with John Moore on the third line with the usual McDonagh-Girardi pairing as the top combination.
The healthy scratches will be Michael Del Zotto, the eighth time this year he has been a healthy scratch, and Justin Falk. By the way Alain Vigneault sounded today, it won't be the last time MDZ is a healthy scratch. “(Del Zotto’s offensive and power play abilities) haven’t been there on a consistent enough basis to say that even if he has a bad game or two, he’s an automatic shoe-in,… Vigneault said Tuesday. “The way he’s played, he’s fighting for that third-pair ‘D,’ and depending on his performance, he’s in or he’s out.… Vigneault wants Del Zotto, "to be able to beat the forecheck, join the rush at the right time and help out on the power play." Of course, receiving those opportunities on the PP is important and I am unsure he has really gotten that chance. Plus, my concern is when he does get back in, he will be so focused on O, his D will suffer, though it can hear everyone saying, hasn't that been the case already?
Moore also could have been scratched rather than Falk. But with Allen in the lineup and MDZ out, AV is willing to live with Moore's defensive lapses and inability to clear the crease to have his offense in the lineup. I am hoping that doesn't burn NY.
The remainder of the lineup stays the same. Taylor Pyatt is a healthy scratch again with Ryan Callahan still out due to his sprained left MCL. Henrik Lundqvist, who was solid against Tampa, gets the nod again Tuesday, which should be the case for a while.
Chris Kreider-Derek Stepan-Rick Nash Derick Brassard-Brad Richards-Mats Zuccarello Carl Hagelin-J.T. Miller-Benoit Pouliot Brian Boyle-Dominic Moore-Derek Dorsett.
Fun facts: The Rangers own the NHL's No. 1 ranked power play on the road, converting at 27 percent (17-for-63) after going 3-for-3 Sunday in Tampa. Overall, Rangers rank eighth in the NHL on the power play at 28 for 135 (20.7 percent). The key to those numbers for me is Zuccarello, as he been a major boost to the PP.
Rangers gets a chance to end the year on a high note and go over .500 once again. Happy and healthy New Year to all my readers.