New York Rangers Game Thread: Game 5, Rangers at Canadiens
The Habs hope to remain undefeated but Lundqvist, Nash, Zuccarello, and the gang hope to spoil their home opener.
Rangers' Record: 3-1-0 | Habs' Record: 4-0-0
The Rangers enjoyed spoiling home openers for both the Chicago Blackhawks and the Columbus Blue Jackets this season, tonight they'll be looking to make it a hat trick against the Montreal Canadiens and P.K. Subban.
The lineup tinkering that the Rangers did on Wednesday during the morning skate will hopefully result in a more competitive team that has more players who can, you know, play hockey and impact the game in a positive way. The Rangers are going to have to keep a close eye on the red hot Max Pacioretty who has started his first season as the captain of the Habs off with four goals in four games.
Keep an eye on how much Vigneault uses the third line tonight. For whatever reason the team's best line through its first three games was hardly used at all in the first period against the Jets and was not given a real opportunity to make an impact on the game. Tonight will be Dan Boyle's return to the lineup after he was a healthy scratch against the Jets. The grizzled veteran will be out to make a statement and, with any luck, he'll do that on the power play.
Mike's Player to Watch: Chris Kreider
Kreider has an interesting history against the Canadiens in his brief time in the league. His physicality and speed weren't very noticeable on Tuesday night against the Jets which was surprising considering how nasty that game was. I anticipate him having a big game tonight at the Bell Centre against a roster that is full of players who don't like him very much. Kreider has yet to score in the young season but has two assists in his first four games.
Who are your picks for the first goal of the game? Will we see a power play that scores more goals than it allows tonight? Happy with the lineup? It's time to talk and watch some Original Six hockey.
Let's go Rangers.
