The Rangers and Devils are back at it tonight at the Garden for game two of their four in a row. Obviously both teams are coming off the Rangers 3-0 win against the Devils in Newark on Tuesday, expect New Jersey to come out hungry and the Rangers to come out with the hopes of maintaining that winning momentum. The Rangers remain four points out of the last playoff spot and the Devils are now on a three game losing streak having only won two in their last ten. However with a rivalry like this one, you never know what to expect.
Like 2012 for example, never forget one of the craziest starts to a hockey game in recent history when the Rangers and Devils faced off, each team starting their fourth line. Ours consisting of Mike Rupp, Brandon Prust, and Stu Bickel. You knew once the starters were announced something was going to go down and the result, a line brawl. Sure this was back when John Tortorella was behind the bench and that sort of chaos was more or less expected. The game has also changed a lot since then and I don't even think the Rangers have had the amount of enforcers of that caliber on the teams in all years combined since. What does this have to do with tonight's game? Nothing really, just fun to stroll down memory lane.
Although there were two fights in Tuesday nights game and there were sparks of tension throughout the game. Even rookie Alexis Lafreniere got into the spirit jawing with a Devils player, looking as if he was ready to drop the gloves for the first time in his career. Could we see more of this old school hockey tonight? I wouldn't rule it out, especially in this mini series type of play between two big rivals.
As for tonight, I don't expect David Quinn to change much however the list of things he should change is still very present. The time to stop flirting with Kravtsov on the second line is now. Move Blackwell to the fourth line for good and officially give the second line right wing spot to Kravtsov. Additionally, get Julien Gauthier or Phil Di Giuseppe back in there in place of Howden on the fourth line. It's exhausting seeing the same line up day in and day out just for David Quinn to juggle them all around whenever things start to not go our way. Commit to your young talent, trust the process and run with Kravtsov on that Strome, Panarin line. Or completely shake things up and go:
Lafreniere - Zibanejad - Kravtsov
Panarin - Strome - Buchnevich
Kreider - Chytil - Kakko
Blackwell - Rooney - Gauthier
There wasn't much talk of the Rangers yesterday other than all of the record breaking moments from Tuesday nights game. That being said, not really certain if they practiced last night so there isn't really any indication of any changes. As I mentioned, expect the same line up and expect Igor Sheshterkin to hopefully carry that goose egg into tonight's outing. It could be wise to get Zac Jones in the mix sooner rather than later, I mean the kid did just win a national championship. However, it is expected he will get the same treatment as Kravtsov and might not go until the weekend or even later.
It is integral that the Rangers get off to a similar start as Tuesday and play how they did when they were at their best. Clean up the messy parts to their game and maintain their play over the Devils. The Rangers only enemy going forward is themselves, if they play the way they should and know how, they're more than capable of sneaking their way into the playoffs. Peppering Mackenzie Blackwood early and often with shots as well as grade A scoring chances is key, net front presence is also important and is Kreider's best chance at breaking his scoring slump. Nevertheless, look for another exciting game tonight.
Chris Feldman
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