Rangers at Canadiens… It’s Go Time!

Game 1, Eastern Conference Quarter Finals

Rangers at Canadiens -7:00 PM MSG, NBCSN (if you’re out of town), 98.7 FM. Online streaming is available on nbcsportss.com or the NBC Sports app (cable subscription required and may be blacked out locally).

The playoffs are finally here.  After watching three weeks of a second preseason, our heroes finally play a meaningful game. All of the talking is over.  It’s time to see how the many “ifs” are answered.  You can read my preview on the previous thread.  You can read Carp’s preview here.

This is the first legitimate “Go Time” post that we’ve had in probably three months. Clearly, this is an HAV.

Tonight’s probable lineup for the Rangers, via Matt Calamia (@mattcalamia):

Chris Kreider-Derek Stepan-Mats Zuccarello

Jimmy Vesey-Mika Zibanejad-Rick Nash

Michael Grabner-Kevin Hayes-JT Miller

Tanner Glass-Oscar Lindberg-Jesper Fast

DEFENSE

Ryan McDonagh-Dan Girardi

Marc Staal-Nick Holden

Brady Skjei-Brendan Smith

The big news of course is that Kevin Klein and Pavel Buchnevich find themselves as healthy scratches in favor of trade-deadline acquisition Brendan Smith and late season AHL call-up Tanner Glass, respectively.  While I’m not a fan of either Smith or Glass, I would imagine both guys are on short leashes, Smith in particular. Henrik Lundqvist obviously gets the start. Here’s hoping he can find his old form.

For the Canadiens, Max Pacioretty, who had to be helped off the ice during yesterday’s practice after taking a high stick, seems to be recovered and will play.  Slow footed Alexei Emelin will be out with an injury.  Talented young forward Alex Galchenyuk will start on the 4th line, but will see PP time. Carey Price obviously starts in goal.

For those of you watching on channels other than MSG (i.e. NBCSN), I hope you aren’t sick of seeing Kreider crash into Price in 2014, because you’re about to see it more times than you’ll care to remember, broken down frame by frame like the Zapruder film. Kreider’s leg goes back, and to the left. Back, and to the left.

I’m sure MSG will show it a couple of times as well, but definitely less.

Don’t forget to tell everyone you know and to follow me on Twitter @rangersreport2. And don’t forget to vote!

693 thoughts on “Rangers at Canadiens… It’s Go Time!”

  17. WOOOOOOOHOOOOOOOOOOOOOO RAAAAAAAAAAANGERS!!! Lets gog og go ggogogogogogogoogoogoo!!!

    Send the kids to the neighbors and get your popcorn ready ..this is gonna be a GREAT GAME .It is Hackey TONIGHT!!!!!!!!!!!

    Liked by 1 person

  50. I’m totally OK with lines and pairs – that what Rangers have. The only concern, considering this season’s bad “habit” – first 10 min. of the 1st game. If could withstand it, they will be OK.

    Like

  162. Other than Glass’s goal (lol btw), this looks NO different than game 82. I’m disgusted by their piss poor execution….. It’s like they’ve never played/practiced together!

    Like

  242. now’s the part of the evening where Habs fans will scream every time a Ranger throws a hit. and follow it up with an arena wide “boooooooooo” when there’s no call.

    Like

  250. This is why It’s hard for me to watch these playoff games. Why does it always appear to me when the rangers play the canadiens in the playoffs the refs appear to be on the canadiens payroll.

    Like

  259. How could anyone think that AV wouldn’t dress Glass, not for goals, but because of the last time Montreal embarrassingly chased us off the ice?

    Like

  314. Oy. If the Rangers didn’t have bad luck, they’d have no luck at all. Should have 2-0 minimum. Usually that comes back to bite you, but not always. And Montreal can’t be happy looking ahead at the series.

    Like

  389. Rangers should’ve be ahead like 3:0 or at least 3:1 after that period. Too bad. Wouldn’t it be funny for centuries if Glass goal becomes GWG?

    Like

  399. It’s not about shots. It’s about not taking wrist shots from 25 feet out while eye to eye with Price. guys have to go to the net try to score some dirty goals. Not going to get many by him in this series by doing this regular season nonsense.

    Like

  404. If they don’t come out of this game with a win it’s going to be the typical “shoulda woulda coulda” crap. Lundqvist giving them every chance to put this away. Montreal totally back on their heels first 10 mins of the 2nd. 2 man advantage late in the second. All the infamous “looks” are there for them to discuss. Better not come to that.

    Like

  406. Doodie it’s their watered down style of play. They don’t have anything resembling aggressive play in their repertoire. They have got to be willing to try to score some garbage goals.

    Like

  409. Rangers are winning. They got a goal when they shouldn’t have, didn’t get a goal when they should have. 1-0, Canadiens have to chase the game. Grind it out, baby.

    Liked by 1 person

  418. SN – Couldn’t agree more. Been saying that for a while, he brings nothing to the PP. Stephan refuses to shoot and too slow to get to 50-50 pucks. Not very good in face off dot either.

    Like

  438. we better dump and go to work and stop with the behind the back passes even if they connect it keeps Montreal D looking at us …Dump It make them turn their backs and forecheck NOT foreglide listening your eminence Cardinal Hayes??

    Like

  490. Danault did NOT have to do that–refs DYING not make that call, but he gave them no choice. Dubious Opportunity. (Though a 2-D, safety-first DO might not be the worst idea. No shorties.)

    Like

  561. Montreal is not the LA kings – most of their ‘tough’ forward don’t weigh over 175 lbs.
    .
    Won and didn’t play great; Henk played well, didn’t cash in on PPs.
    .
    Survive and thrive baby

    Liked by 1 person

  572. Rangers forward depth was supposed to be a thing going in. And sure enough, even with mere 4th line minutes, that line made the difference, and not only with the goal.

    Liked by 1 person

  576. Can you guys believe there are people who, while born and raised in NY choose to, of their own free will, be habs fans. I think they are spies, not sure but probably.

    I work with one, perhaps one of the most annoying men I know, top three for sure. Any who, had the boys lost, I may have had to choke him out. So really for his sake, tonight’s game was a Must Win. Funny how things work out.

    Liked by 1 person

  588. I just love the doubt that is running through all the habs fans heads.
    ..but Kevin Weekes said the habs were sure to win tonight.

    Screw le habs

    Like

  599. wow still wound up.. had my Flyers fan neighbor over for the game.. at least he hates the Habs more so did not add to the three periods of 1-0 tension. Wonder if NYR can lobby to get the first four games in MTL?

    Did anybody see Chris tonight? Need better. At least Zuc did his best Avery impression.

    Like

  604. This morning’s debate on the 12th man is looking a little… off. The thinking was that if the 12th man was under any kind of serious consideration, the Rangers were in trouble. Or that if it was such a minor position, why not play Buchnevich. Both notions, which I agreed with in large part, were WRONG, WRONG, WRONG. Maybe AV knows what he’s doing, perhaps knows even more than we do. Maybe.

    Like

  606. Just caught up on dvr’d game….woo falking hoo!!! Love the physicality…love it! Scrums after whistles, great great hockey!
    –
    I voted hated, opg, and glass…in no particular order.
    –
    HM to beat wide, who played a very physical game finally, good for him.

    Like

  607. That was mind blowing. Tanner Glass with the gwg and Hank with the shutout after everyone had him dead and buried. Seeing him actually giggle in the post game interview when they showed his reaction after taking one of Weber’s shots off his head was priceless.

    Like

  618. I was quiet all night because I didn’t want to jinx them. Fast showed why the coaches love him on the clear to Grabner for the EN goal. Holden made some awful clears but they survived. We got 60 minutes tonight. Danny G looked fresh and Stahl won some battles. VC looke ok fo rhis first playoff game. PP goal would have helped but can live with that as long as the PK works. The King ( no Shampoo Boy tonight) Mister Tanner and the Machine- in that order.

    Like

  624. True Carp. Klein’s not THAT un-deserving a scratch…sure it’s a bit of a numbers game, but he was probably a solid choice as least-solid-of-the-4-right-siders. I just thought that Holden was objectively bad, and didn’t do much that factored into the win.
    But yeah…it’s AV. Keeping a winning lineup is both his MO and not a bad rule of thumb anyhow.

    Like

  627. What is that?

    I painted my face.

    You painted your face?

    Yeah.

    Why?

    You know, support the team.

    Well, you can’t walk around like that.

    Why not?

    Because it’s insane?

    Hey, you gotta let them know you’re out there, this is the playoffs.

    Like

  631. “I don’t know, Dave. AV doesn’t normally like to change a lineup after a win. And De-Klein hasn’t exactly been Brian Leetch.”

    Unless of course it’s after a game 2 win against the pens last season in the first round 😉

    Liked by 1 person

  644. Zucc 20+ minutes of dispelling playoff-disappearance theme. It’s not always points-for in these things, and he played some excellent points-against tonight.

    Like

  665. how many minutes did the wrath play in game 2. oh i know 9 minutes.

    how many teams picked him up on waivers (twice) this year. oh i know ZERO

    ps sorry Craig.

    Like

  667. wicky will love this

    Darren Dreger‏Verified account @DarrenDreger

    McLellan says some of his players were looking for home run plays (too fancy), but says their batting average in game 1 was pretty low.

    Like

  668. Alex – still think TB can beat the penguins? No? Me either!

    Not sure why you have such a hard on over The Wrath. I was merely responding to Carp’s statement that the lineup was changed last year after game 2.

    Like

  669. E3

    ton of injuries for tampa. simple as that

    re the wrath. much ado about nothing. receives too much credit from people like you re the one win last year. proof in pudding. put on waivers twice and nobody went near him. that says it all.

    Like

  671. AV doesnt like to change players after a win

    Question was asked, did the Rangers’ lineup change after last year’s game 2?

    Answer: yes it did. Wrath came out.

    Much ado about nothing. Why your eyes cross every time someone mentions the Wrath is a bit strange. The inverse of man love.

    Like

  672. there is no reason to mention mclrath. you and others brought him up not me, but i will say you are delusional if you think mcilrath had anything to do with the one win. it certainly seems you see it as cause and effect though.

    you’ve got to be kidding if you minimize tampas injuries. many top players for long periods including the captain.

    Like

  673. Good morning Boneheads! Coffee always taste better after a win. Hank was great last night hope he stays focused and can keep it up. Rangers need him to be at his best. I think I’m going to have to add MTL time my list of hated teams Ole Ole Ole!

    Like

  675. After watching Gallagher act like a jackwagon, I know know how other fans felt like watching Avery clown it up when he was a Ranger.

    Saw an interesting stat this morning. The Habs are 1-11 (I think that was it, flashed by too quickly) in playoff series when they are shutout in Game 1. Of course, that only means something if this particular Habs team went 1-11.

    Most important take away from last night is the Rangers held on to road-ice advantage. 🙂

    Like

  676. Quote of the night comes from Zucc on talking about his big collision with Gallagher (from the NY Post):

    “I was going for the puck and I hit him — don’t make a big deal out of that,” Zuccarello told The Post. “I didn’t try to hit him, I’m trying to go for the puck.

    “S–t happens.”

    Like

  681. I thought the officiating was awful. Cross Checking, interference, boarding – hey, no problem. Sending the puck over the glass and touching the puck with your hand on a face-off – get out of here for two minutes, we can’t have any of that.

    Still, the Rangers matched the physicality of the Canadiens. They were not so soft to play against. Good for them.

    Montreal goes after the smallest Ranger all game. Cowards.

    Like

  684. Have to be encouraged by our sexy boys last night, but if we’re going to do this we need to beat Carey Price cleanly and more than once in 60 minutes.

    Like

  685. Just one and a half negatives. I thought Holden struggled all game, and Zibanijad struggled early but got better. I know Glass scored a goal, but I thought nearly as important were the two plays he made previous. He was first in on the for check, and took hits both times to do it. I thought that really set a tone. Basically saying this is how we have to play to win.

    Like

  686. I had a dream last night that Tanner Glass scored the game winning goal in the 1st playoff game in Montreal…and Hank was perfect ..and Girardi played great…and Lindberg was there…and Zucc…then this woman that looked like the Princess from Mario Bros..bopped me on the head with a wand and made me repeat….There’s no place like the road…There’s no place like the road…There’s no place like the road…

    Like

  687. Like I said last night- someone is going to get hurt in this series. I said that in ’14 and 2 games later Prust broke Stepan’s jaw. The refs don’t help the situation. they go through spells of “we’re going to call everything” and then try to let them play. What you get is inconsistency and almost a “hey we have to call this because we called so much on the other team already”- without any regard for some kind of clear cut way to call a game.

    Liked by 1 person

  688. It’s all fine and good that Glass was one of the heros last night but some of the stuff I saw from the forwards was concerning. Grabner had that awful pass or clearing attempt that nearly wound up in the back of the net and Stepan was guilty of a similar gaffe. I think early in the third(?) he was behind his net looking for a break out, saw Montreal pressuring and instead of trying to find some space and taking a hit to get the puck out he tries to shoot it up the boards and it stays in the zone. Then you had Zucc all night looking for the extra pass, the fancy pass – any kind of pass. Needs to stop. He’s smarter than that. this is the post season now so wake up when it comes to that stuff.

    I think Kreider and Miller need to be taken off their respective lines and put together – being wasted a bit

    Liked by 1 person

  690. Rangers pitch a shutout with strong team defense and a couple of big stops, so, yeah, time to rejigger the lines? I think the writing was on the wall early on when Glass won a footrace to cancel out an icing. Glass. Keep that boy away from the drug screeners.

    Like

Leave a comment