Rangers at Canucks … It’s Go Time

Game 17

Rangers at Canucks -10:00 PM MSG

Tonight will be the first night that I try my new idea of just putting together a review that is accurate as of the time of writing, which probably will be sometime during/shortly after the second period. Clearly, this is an HAV.

Tonight is the third game of this four game road trip.  It is the last one in Western Canada, and their third in four nights. They have won the first two games of the trip.

Tonight’s probable lineup for the Rangers (12-4):

Michael Grabner-Derek Stepan-Rick Nash

JT Miller-Mika Zibanejad-Mats Zuccarello

Jimmy Vesey-Kevin Hayes-Jesper Fast

Oscar Lindberg-Boo Nieves-Brandon Pirri

Ryan McDonagh-Dan Girardi

Marc Staal-Brady Skjei

Nick Holden-Kevin Klein

The big news of course is the NHL debut of 2012 2nd round pick (59th overall) Cristobal “Boo” Nieves.  Nieves, who will wear No. 67, will start the game as the fourth line center and will likely see some penalty killing duty.

Nieves’ presence is required because of injuries to Chris Kreider and Pavel Buchnevich.  Buchnevich’s is “day to day” with back spasms, but there is no timetable or update for Kreider and his “upper body injury,” which is continuing to be surrounded by mystery.  The longer the mystery lingers, the more likely it is a concussion.

Henrik Lundqvist gets the start. Adam Clendening goes back to the press box. Also, due to the modified lineup, the powerplay units have been shuffled. Most importantly, JT Miller gets a look on the PP.

For the Canucks, (6-9-1), they get a chance to show whether they are turning a corner or last week’s game against the Rangers was just a fluke.  In any event, the Canucks would do well to try and slow the game down rather than trade chances with the Rangers.  Jacob Markstrom gets the start.

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