Game 20
Rangers at Penguins -7:00 PM MSG
Tonight is the first leg of a home and home between the Rangers and the Pittsburgh Penguins. This is the first time these teams will meet since the Penguins unceremoniously dispatched of the Rangers in the first round of last year’s playoffs in 5 games en route to winning the Stanley Cup.
I will be watching this game on bit of a delay as I have to go to my son’s parent-teacher converence first. Clearly, this is an HAV.
Tonight’s probable lineup for the Rangers (13-5-1), via Steve Zipay (@stevezipay):
Chris Kreider-Derek Stepan-Rick Nash
Jimmy Vesey-Kevin Hayes-Mats Zuccarello
Michael Grabner-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 Mika Zibanejad breaking his fibula during the overtime period of last night’s shootout loss to the Panthers. Kevin Hayes moves up to his spot on the second line, Brandon Pirri moves up to Kevin Hayes’ spot on the third line, and Oscar “the Machine” Lindberg gets to take penalties in Brandon Pirri’s spot on the fourth line.
Pavel Buchnevich had an MRI today for his back spasms. The test determined that there were no structural issues, but Buchnevich will need a two to three week program to “strengthen his core.” Your guess is as good as mine, but it sounds as if he should be able to recover and help boost a rapidly depleting forwards corps. That depth was helped a bit, I suppose, with today’s claim of Matt Puempel off of waivers from the Ottawa Senators. I’m still skeptical, though, as it seems he has struggled mightily at the NHL level.
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.
As I had suggested last night, Antti Raanta gets the start given AV’s traditional practice of switching goaltenders in the second game of a back to back with travel in between.
For the Penguins, (11-4-3), injuries to Patrick Honrqvist and Chris Kunitz are testing their forward depth. The Penguins have called up Jake Guentzel, a 2013 3rd round pick taken in between Buchnevich and Anthony Duclair. Guentzel has been very good in the AHL this season, with 17 points (7-10-16) in 16 games. He will play on the second line with Malkin and Kessel. Not too shabby for your NHL debut. Marc-Andre Fleury gets the start.
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!
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185 responses to “Rangers at Penguins … It’s Go Time!”
It looks like this game could be a rough one
Go Time! I hate Pittsburgh.
4-1 loss
I’m just building my hatest hate for Pissburgh fat flyless birds…
LGR!!!!
Gut-check-big-boy-pants-onions-and-other-various-Carp-cliches type of game! Let’s go Boys.
And so begins what will be known as “The Slump Of 2016”.
I see a 13-6-1 record when all is said and done.
What the what!
That’s a horrible goal.
Good start, eh?
Why do Rangers like gifting rookies their first goal so much?
Video of Klein already on its way to NHLDPS.
Good morning Raanta. The game has started.
I’m out on the ledge, sweeping the floor, dusting off cobwebs, checking the bar supplies. Could be a big night here. Oh, hey, Eric.
Norm, make sure you dust the cobwebs off of Eric, too.
Hayes doesn’t know how good he is.
Nice save by the Bad-Start-Finnish goalie on Squidney
Who would you rather have? Carl Grablin of Michael Hagner?
Could it be worse than that? Bad things just continues…
“Don’t turn out the light / Or I’ll go over the edge”
[The Human League]
And the shellacking begins….
Holy Stepan!
Well I will be turning this off quickly.
That’s on Vesey.
Klein is too slow…Sad.
Man amongst boys. Be no difference today or in april
This is an entirely different team than we’ve been watching for most of this season.
Chicago v. Edmonton at 9:00. I can hardly wait.
McD is crazy – can’t be so lazy in front of Crybaby…
Rangers are kind of lethargic in own zone.. Sad
Horrible turnover by Oscar Hindenburg at the blue line
Not once did I get excited about this start. The current playoff format prob has us out in 1st rd again
This is a Pittsburgh 3 on 2 fest. These guys are clearly not ready to play.
Eric is in heaven!
Malkin does not like to be hit. He should be in the box alone except he is, well, Malkin.
Coo-coo cashew. You crazy nut!
I can only repeat my post in previous thread:
November 21, 2016 at 6:29 PM
I’m not defeatist. Not at all. But I have a bad gut’s feeling of Rangers meltdown tonight. Will take any reasonable punishment if I’m wrong. Gladly.
Than go back to my grotto…
Anybody else feel like the rangers are still in last year’s playoffs?
Looks like Zuc is the only one willing to play.
olga. has stuff on 4 guys ages 20-22 for the hawks
http://cdn.espn.go.com/nhl/story/_/id/18103137/nhl-chicago-blackhawks-likely-trade-deadline-dealers-season-bank-young-talent-getting-better
Stellar period. Chase game since a minute in. The wheels falling off
Hank’s first-string job safe for the moment.
Thank god that period’s over. Why do I feel like next period won’t be our usual second period.
If the Rangers don’t come back tonight, then they will lose the return match in New York, which means they’ll have no chance against the Flyers, a loss that will kick off a ten-game losing streak, resulting, weeks later, in the earliest mathematical elimination from the playoffs in modern NHL history. AV will be fired in February and Gorton by March. The franchise will officially fold over the summer.
Good. Then I can stop following this collection of losers.
LGR !!!
13-68-1
Book it
Last in metro
Nothing but positive thoughts. That’s why I come here.
We look like a shell of our former shell
We’re gonna be last in faceoffs by the time Mika gets back.
Kindly regarding,
Duckbill
While my 13-68-1 prediction seems pessimistic, it pales in comparison to next year’s 2-80-0.
With nothing else to do, Carp should be all over this 2.0 right now
Well at least we didn’t get scored on in the 2 minutes. Yay!
First 2
Carp has a new job working in a ladies underwear factory. I hear he’s pulling down around 500 a week.
Phil Kessel makes jerky boys tapes between periods
Ledge head count?
Rangers offensive strategy is dump amd lose the puck.
Is Grabner playing?
You can’t count eric in that ledge head count. He’s been out there longer than the pigeons.
Clear the ledge! We’re back, baby!
Nash ruining everything.
Come on fast 200 ft from your net after a goal such a moron
Here comes another 2 goal lead for the bad guys.
I posted the other day on this site before the columbus game that the rangers were going to lose four in a row. I said that because I didn’t like what I was watching and so far I’m on track. I would love to be wrong.
When is Crosby going to give up on the idea he can grow a mustache?
Fat Guy !
Pessimism does not equal insight
Never has
Sounds like Eric 2.0
Loudest ping ever. Micheletti: I THINK he hit the post, Sam. Smh
FG! Ducky!
Carp is decompressing during the Winter of Carp.
Hey Carp!
You earned it.
The baskets just aren’t falling for us right now
Evrock: Joe Michelobvious. As bad as Frank Gifford saying “I think Theissman broke his leg”
Always good to see crysby in the box.
Let’s show these guys that last year was last year and this year is, well, still 2016
Crosby penalty. Mike Sullivan looks dumbfounded. Something he practiced constantly in New York.
Grab, Grab, Grab!!
Oh looky looky
This isn’t Ulfies Rangers anymore
I was beginning to wonder if Grabner was in a scoring slump. 2-2!
It’s a game!
Klein in decline.
Crosby chopped a stick out of someone’s hand? Shocking.
Grabby does it all: fronthand, backhand, on rush, from perimeter and also pick up a garbage (goals it is).
Crosby got his one penalty per half season called on him. he can get away with whatever he wants now.
Hayes twice now waiting too long to shoot
Pansification
Skjei Hey Kid now a penalty machine
Penalty for playing hockey.
Yahtzeeeeee
First Metro.
Go to the net! 3-2.
Miller scored with his butt.
There is a Highest Justice. It was such a really shiiitty call.
We’re the ones that lead the league in scoring biotches!
Butt luck.
Good second period?
Regardless of who scores goals, Zuc already deserved 1st star in this game, IMO.
Good period?
MRS Dan Boyle has butt luck
Worst team in the history of hockey, to the best team in the history of hockey, all in less than 20 minutes.
How we blowing this one pens prob get 5 on 3 late
Three on five shorty
Must be refreshing for Carp to not have to moderate here
His only job is to be stupid like the rest of us
#boycottthejournalnews
No small task, fat guy.
Outdoor Classic in Toronto will be -300 Kelvin
I’ll show youse how stupid I can be …
They’ve gotta stop these horrible starts. By the time they get their legs they’re usually down a couple.
I’m all alone on the ledge except for Eric, who’s drawing up a probability chart for all the different ways the Rangers can lose this by four g… what’s that, E.? Sorry, five goals.
Norm – that’s not a ledge your standing on. It’s Eric being happy to see a Pens pp
Carp you must feel like this a vacation with a bunch of Boneheads!
Papa John’s is gonna go out of business this season. Not from all the Ranger goals, because it’s crappy pizza.
Shoot first
Ask questions later
Fancy boy passing is back.
What’s the name du jour for the Penguins arena now?
Scrubbing Bubbles Arena
Oscar Lindbergh continues to look like an AHL player.
This is not the same team from the first half of the game.
This period is a track meet.
Too many passes. Shoot!
It would be nice to score another…please. Because, when the shy hope is raising… it’s very painful to ruin it.
James
Did I answer you question in the last thread to your satisfaction? How’s jay btw?
Excessive passing means “unselfish”.
THANK YOU!!!!!!
I only wish it was Letang
Four unanswered! Breathing room: 4-2.
To quote Brian Leetch “they’re all pretty as long as they go in the net”
Carp- Onions game?
Skjei is like Ewing dribbling full court
Dumelin get an assist and a goal and a seat on the bench.
I’m watching the Penguins feeds. Announcers enviously praising the Rangers’ skating, quick decision-making.
*feed*
Wick, sorry, you did just been studying all day and now seem to be coming down with a cold. I was only being partially facetious this morning. I wouldn’t disagree with any of those upgrades. Jay is good. She just doesn’t like the sharp turn of the weather up here in North Jersey. 2″ of frozen snow isn’t exactly something I’d want to squat in either : /
Pierre is going to have to commend the Rangers this season
James
Sweet. Study hard and feel better man. Pet jay for me 😉
“Who laughs last, laughs longest!”
Time for an empty net.
What’s snow?
Raanta is the comeback player of the game
Is it me or has MSG stopped interviewing opposing players between periods?
Good
F opposing players
Except Hagelin
Biggest regular season win in last decade. Prob lose 5-1 Wednesday.
This is a resounding a$$ whooping in their barn
Back to norm? 5 average.
Holden is Golden
Wednesday = Must Win
So Lundqvist to Dallas for Roussel?
I say we win 5-1 Wednesday. This sets us on our next win streak
A refreshing victory. Always is in Pittsburgh.
Papa John seen on W 32nd juggling bowling pins to make some extra coin.
Papa John on the phone to Dolan. Trying to get it changed to 6 goals.
Sorry, I was wrong for not to believing in my depleting team. Mea culpa. Not going to happened again. …and again …and again.
Don’t forget to vote.
“Biggest regular season win in the last decade” best comment in the last one hundred years. Is tonight one of those Miller, Hayes, Whoever kind of nights? McDonuts was skating well…
Hawks down 1-0 to Edm. in first
Columbus another game tying goal
With 6 sec left. Team is on a freaking roll.
I voted raaaaanntta, hated, and 1C no Doritos…in no particular order.
Now, if only the Sharks could demolish the team from Newark, it would make for a great night of hockey.
If nothing else, Rangers demonstrated amazing resilience and cool character. Love and respect!
Zuc, Raanta, Haze
Very nice win! Fun game to watch…always happy for Raanta …our prospect goalies continue to do well…Shestyorkin best in the KHL, Huska with a win vs #4 Boston U, Tyler Wall also impressing already
Grabby Raanta and Squeegee
Miller speaks like firing Thompson machinegun…
Raanta earned it after a hideous first goal against. JT played a good game and Skjei continues to impress. Those are my 3.
Millah, Ranter, Tedeschi (Mac) Trucks
Jimmy The Tulip McDonagh?
Had to go with Hobbit, Haze and Know When To Holden.
Ok I admit I was wrong Rangers win I’m shocked! But who was in net our # 1 Goalie? I will have to watch the NHL Network replay tomorrow since I don’t get the game live down here in St Pete. Man I hate the dirty birds! James G I agree as Carp would say Onions Game!
Hank, Fast, and Charles Lindberg for On Zeh Co PE tar
Nice win. We are good again.
OMG! WE DON’T SUCK!
Great win! PUCK THE PEN()S!
Grabner = B E A S T!
NYR MVP.
We grabbed them by the Crosby tonight real good!
Hattie! You snooze you lose, punks!
Wow 4-0 Hawks losing to the Oilers.
Pierre LeBrun Retweeted
Edmonton Oilers @EdmontonOilers 1h1 hour ago
BOOM. #CHIvsEDM
wickys play of the year?
FAT GUY in the house!!
Squeegee?
Squeegee?
Squeegee?
Squeegee?
I like the Klein vs Crosby match up. Kudos to double bubble for that. Klein did a good job vs Crosby.
–
Most passion I’ve seen the rangers play with all season. Nice to see some chippy, big boy pants play.
The comments during the first period were very funny. Even the Panther fan was back pretending to be aRanger fan. Figured he would be back after the shootout victory for his side.
If we get healthy and fully loaded after Jan 1, we’re going to be tough to handle all Spring. Love to see Nieves earn a spot, but where? I can see AV spot starting him for JT when JT is grounded