Rangers vs. Penguins … It’s Go Time!

Game 21

Rangers vs. Penguins -7:00 PM MSG

Tonight is the second leg of a home and home between the Rangers and the Pittsburgh Penguins.  The Rangers won the first leg in Pittsburgh by the score of 5-2.

I will be at this game in person with my wife and therefore not blogging it. E3 will cover the review for tomorrow. Clearly, this is an HAV.

Tonight’s probable lineup for the Rangers (14-5-1), via Steve Zipay (@stevezipay):

Chris Kreider-Kevin Hayes-Mats Zuccarello

Michael Grabner-Derek Stepan-Rick Nash

Jimmy Vesey-Brandon Pirri-J.T. Miller

Oscar Lindberg-Josh Jooris-Jesper Fast

Ryan McDonagh-Dan Girardi

Marc Staal-Nick Holden

Brady Skjei-Kevin Klein

The big news, of course, is completely unrelated to the game.  The NHL published the “exempt” list of players that cannot be exposed to the expansion draft and the list included Rick Nash.  However, calling it an “exempt” list is a bit of a misnomer, as players on the list still count toward the maximum amount of allowable protected players. Pretty much any mock expansion draft done showed Nash as being exposed.  This will force the Rangers to expose an additional young forward.

Henrik Lundqvist facing the Penguins for the first time since the playoffs after his playoff meltdown last spring, both in quality of play, and in his childish display of throwing the goal of the moorings.  I understand why he did it, but perhaps he should have just Holtbied instead.

AV says Puempel could get into the lineup soon, and I speculate that it will be in favor of Oscar Lindberg.

The defense remains unchanged, so Clendening remains Prucha’d for a third straight game. I still disagree with this arrangement. Skjei should be playing more often, not less.  I imagine that AV will do his best to keep Klein and Skjei away from Malkin’s line.

For the Penguins, (11-5-3), Matt Murray gets the start and has been the better goaltender for the Penguins this season.   I don’t think they have made any lineup changes from Monday but it will be interesting to see how Guentzel does in his second NHL game.  Hopefully less than 2 goals this time.

Don’t forget to tell everyone you know and to follow me on Twitter @rangersreport2. And don’t forget to vote for your three stars after the game!