The Rangers begin a two game stretch against the only two teams ahead of them in the East, beginning tonight in Boston. Many call the Bruins pretenders with their 15 OT losses, and while it certainly pads their place in the standings, we should remember this is still a good team with a solid goaltending tandem. Either goalie, combined with the high end skill, can still a game.
But these Bruins are not the same as years past. No Patrice Bergeron. No David Krejci. But they still have Brad Marchand and David Pastrnak, and sometimes that’s enough. Their center depth is a little questionable though, and perhaps that is their biggest weakness.
A regulation win for the Rangers tonight is a four-point swing for them, gaining two points on the Bruins while preventing the Bruins from getting a point. That goes a long way to potentially sneaking into first place in the conference, and perhaps the President’s Trophy.
Note: Lines are unconfirmed. This was written and scheduled on Wednesday night.
Bruins Lines
Danton Heinan-Pavel Zacha-David Pastrnak
Brad Marchand-Charlie Coyle-Jake Debrusk
Jakub Lauko-Morgan Geekie-Trent Frederic
John Beecher-Jesper Boqvist-Justin Brazeau
Matt Grzelcyk-Charlie McAvoy
Hampus Lindholm-Brandon Carlo
Kevin Shattenkirk-Andrew Peeke
Jeremy Swayman gets the start
Rangers Lines
Artemi Panarin-Vincent Trocheck-Alexis Lafreniere
Chris Kreider-Mika Zibanejad-Jack Roslovic
Will Cuylle-Alex Wennberg-Kaapo Kakko
Jimmy Vesey-Barclay Goodrow-Jonny Brodzinski
Erik Gustafsson-Adam Fox
K’Andre Miller-Braden Schneider
Zac Jones-Chad Ruhwedel
Igor Shesterkin gets the start
Injuries: Filip Chytil (concussion), Blake Wheeler (leg), Jacob Trouba (lower body), Ryan Lindgren (lower body)
Crazy Prediction: The Rangers prevent the Bruins from getting to OT.
Game time is 7pm.
