We take a brief hiatus from the Ryan Callahan and Dan Girardi talks/discussions/blogs/hand-wringing (insert own term) to focus on the game on ice. The Rangers kick off the first of their three games before the Olympic break with a contest against the Avalanche at MSG. Given the recent snow, Colorado's name is very apropos as they played the Devils yesterday and Rangers tonight. New York comes in having won three in a row, but given how competitive the Metro Division and Eastern Conference have been the past month, there can be no letting up off the gas pedal, given the criticality of each game.
It's match-up of two hot and Olympic goalies at MSG with a iconic one in Patrick Roy behind the bench for Colorado. Semyon Varlamov is 12-1-1 in his last 15 games, having allowed 34 goals in that stretch, while Henrik Lundqvist has allowed two or fewer goals in nine of his last 10 games and is 10-3-1 in his last 14 contests, posting a 1.91 goals-against average and .951 save percentage in that stretch. Jean-Sebastien Giguere picked up the win Monday against the Devils, while Cam Talbot, who has sat the last five straight and most of the recent games could start Thursday against Edmonton or Friday at Pittsburgh. In addition, Talbot will see some work post-Olympics, as Lundqvist and Sweden likely will go far in the tournament and coach Alain Vigneault will rest him judiciously.
RANGERS
Kreider – Stepan – Nash Hagelin – Richards – Callahan Pouliot – Brassard – Zuccarello Boyle – Moore – Carcillo
McDonagh – Girardi Staal – Stralman Moore – Klein
Henrik Lundqvist (starting) Cam Talbot
A key could be to reignite the power play, that is 0-for-their-last-10 in the past four games and have dropped to 10th in the NHL. To date, there have been no discussions of shifting personnel, and with three games left in the first half, it may not happen right now. But if the struggles on the man advantage continue, an alteration of the combinations could be forthcoming after the Olympic break. If Callahan remains in NY, one solution could be to add him back in the mix to get his grit in front of the net. In addition, teams seem to have figured out the Rangers' movement pattern, playing the pass not the shot, so more pucks on net are needed to alter that pattern.
Congrats to Marc Staal and his wife Lindsey on the birth of Anna Veralyn this morning. A proud but tired Staal will be in the lineup Tuesday.
How the Avalanche lineup is expected to look against the Rangers:
Ryan O'Reilly -- Matt Duchene -- Jamie McGinn Gabriel Landeskog -- Nathan MacKinnon -- PA Parenteau Cody McLeod -- John Mitchell -- Max Talbot Marc-Andre Cliche -- Patrick Bordeleau
Jan Hejda -- Erik Johnson Andre Benoit -- Nate Guenin Nick Holden -- Tyson Barrie Ryan Wilson
Semyon Varlamov Jean-Sebastien Giguere
The info below is taken from Rick Sadowski's blog yesterday and updated for recent events:
Forwards Paul Stastny (ankle) and Alex Tanguay (knee) each missed second game in a row Monday in the Avalanche's win over New Jersey. Both players are on the trip, so it's possible either could play tonight against the Rangers. The Avalanche did not have a morning skate Tuesday, so each is truly a game-time decision. I am sure many Rangers fans would like to see Stastny in person given the speculation that the team could be interested in him as a UFA after the year, but they have to be satisfied with seeing McGinn, who too has been rumored as a person of interest for the Blueshirts. Same to with O'Reilly, who is the object of many of us on the blog's affection, but is not likely to be made available.
I am looking forward to see the gains made by Erik Johnson the past year, as he has taken his game to another level. Same with seeing MacKinnon live rather than inn highlights or on tape. Also, welcome back John Mitchell.
P.A. Parenteau played again on a line with Gabriel Landeskog and Nathan MacKinnon Monday. They combined for three goals and three assists Saturday in the Avalanche's 7-1 win against Buffalo and that line had a goal and two assists Monday, with Parenteau scoring the game-tying goal late in the third period and MacKinnon helping to set O'Reilly's game-winner in overtime.
The Avalanche used 11 forwards and seven defensemen for the second game in a row Monday, but it's possible Brad Malone gets called up from Lake Erie if Stastny and Tanguay aren't available today.
Colorado is 4-2 in the second part of back-to-backs this year, so the Avalanche having played last night should have little effect on their stamina etc. In addition, the Avalanche, who are having a tremendous season, come in on a roll, having won four in a row and eight of their last 10 after yesterday's victory.
The following stat posted by Pat Leonard is a huge key: the Rangers went 10-4-1 in January, outscoring opponents 15-5 in the third period. That ability to take games over late, to grind down an opponent by using all four lines and three defensive pairings has been a major part of the team's recent success. No time to rest of their laurels. Three games to go until the break. Much of the next four days will be consumed with speculation over Callahan and Girardi. Hopefully, that speculation is limited to the media while the focus of the team remains on the games themselves. Colorado, Edmonton and Pittsburgh, two real tough games and one you would expect to win, but as we have seen, Ben Scrivens can stand on his head while the Oilers have a potent offense. Win one, then worry about the next one. Six points at stake, find a way to get them all if possible.
Let's Go Rangers.