The Rangers fresh off three straight losses, including a 3-2 overtime defeat at the hands of Toronto, return to action Friday against the Hurricanes. Tonight's contest is the first of two match-ups between the teams in Carolina and given the seven-point separation between both teams, the results of each could play a large role in the determination of who makes and misses the playoffs. Carolina right now is 13th in the East, six points shy of the eight seed, and is 3-7-0 in their last 10. New York, despite earning just one point over the last three games, still sits third in the Metro, but seventh overall in the East.
Projected Lineup:
RANGERS
Kreider – Stepan – Nash Hagelin – Richards – St. Louis Pouliot – Brassard – Zuccarello Boyle – Moore – Carcillo
McDonagh – Girardi Staal – Stralman Moore – Klein
Henrik Lundqvist (starting) Cam Talbot
A few keys for me tonight and great job by Matt Karash spelling out the Canes side of the equation: (http://www.hockeybuzz.com/blog/Matt-Karash/Carolina-Hurricanes-Game-Day-vs-NYR----Do-or-die-starts-now/56/58516)
1) Smurfs x 2: Tonight marks the return of the Hobbit and gives the Rangers, two undersized but highly skilled forwards. Zuccarello has spoken about the impact that St. Louis has had on his career, proving that a smaller player can make in the NHL. Each play bigger than their listed size, showing a willingness to get dirty when needed, though Zuccarello is more of an agitator and St. Louis, a scorer.
I use the term Smurfs tongue-in-cheek, for those who remember the days of Herb Brooks and the undersized forwards in NY. This is not your Herb Brooks'-esque smurfs, as that team was more based on our skill than the ability to respond physically. That said, the Rangers now are a team with more skill than grit, making the fourth line even more important, as well as the need for Chris Kreider to play physical when necessary.
The past several games have shown just how important Zuccarello is to the Rangers attack, both on 5-on-5 and on the power play. With the trade deadline passed and now the focus can shift to the other RFA and UFA, Sather should be working on locking him up ASAP.
2) Stralman and Klein: Coach Alain Vigneault called out both players and rightfully so. Each have struggled to varying degrees and the acquisition of Raphael Diaz puts pressure on both to play better than they have with a viable replacement option now available. Stralman to me was one of the team's best defenseman the first two months of the year, but lately, he has been one of the worst, punctuated by the turnover behind the net and snow angels in front of it on Nazem Kadri's goal Wednesday. Klein also has struggled, though may not to the extent of Stralman. AV has tried mixing the pairings, moving Klein to play with Staal and Stralman back to play with John Moore, who looked great after MDZ was dealt but he too has struggled, with little success. If neither or either continue to have issues, Diaz, who you know I have liked for years, will be in the lineup in the near term.
3) A return to form by Lundqvist. The Rangers beat Chicago largely because of Cam Talbot, who was a stalwart between the pipes. While I don't specifically blame Lundqvist for the losses to Philly, Boston and Toronto, I can't really credit for playing that well, though I do think he made several excellent glove saves against the Maple Leafs. Maybe it's the post-Olympic letdown and fatigue or just a mild slump, but whatever the reason, Hank has to be much better than he has been lately and play like he did and pre- and during the Olympics.
The Hockey News has released their “Future Watch… edition and have the Rangers top ten prospects as:
1. JT Miller (23rd overall) 2. Brady Skjei (74th overall) 3. Jesper Fast 4. Conor Allen 5. Dylan McIlrath 6. Anthony Duclair 7. Danny Kristo 8. Ryan Graves 9. Oscar Lindberg 10. Boo Nieves
The grade given overall for the system was a C-, putting them 30th or last in the NHL. While I know the system has produced several players recently, including Dubinsky, Anisimov, Callahan, Hagelin, Kreider, Staal, McDonagh etc., thinning it out, I was a bit shocked to see them that low. First, the lack of inclusion of Duclair in the top-100 was surprising. Then to see Graves over Adam Tambellini and Pavel Buchnevich was shocking, let alone to not see the altter two at all on the list. Last, for those concerned with the dealing of picks in the Callahan deal, this ranking will feed their fire, but as we saw last year, Gord Clark made three excellent picks in the third round, so the hope has to be he can make some magic after Round 1 next year and possibly this one as well depending on if the second rounder becomes a first.