Rangers look to keep riding high against beleaguered Devils (NJD at NYR 7pm)
Kevin Hayes looks to get his Rangers on top tonight (Saed Hindash/NJ.com)
Rangers get set to face the NJ Devils to see if they can extend their winning streak to 8 games. JT Miller looks to be scratched in favor of Lee Stempniak and he apparently wasn’t happy when he was told. Look for an old time rock ’em – sock ’em affair tonight at the Garden.
GAME 33: NEW JERSEY DEVILS AT NEW YORK RANGERS , MSG, NY 7:00 PM
Daily Faceoff’s Goalie Matchup
NJD at NYR (DailyFaceoffs)
– Note click the Daily Faceoff link throughout the day for confirmed starters
NOTES:
President/GM Lou Lamoriello announces he will go behind bench with Adam Oates handling forwards and Scott Stevens handling defense.
— New Jersey Devils (@NHLDevils) December 27, 2014
Ryder joins Patrik Elias (mumps) and Martin Havlat (virus) on sidelines.
— New Jersey Devils (@NHLDevils) December 27, 2014
Anything can happen, but it seemed pretty clear in today’s locker room that JT Miller was not going to play. He says he’s healthy, though
— Pat Leonard (@PLeonardNYDN) December 27, 2014
JT Miller’s response in an uncomfortably tense convo this morning simply was: “Whatever is best for the team. I just hope we win.” #NYR
— Pat Leonard (@PLeonardNYDN) December 27, 2014
The Lundqvists are having another baby girl, due in March. The King is about to be severely outnumbered #NYR
— Pat Leonard (@PLeonardNYDN) December 27, 2014
AV on lineup changes: Everybody will take warmups. “Haven’t finalized..” Lundqvist in. But sure seems like Miller and Hunwick are out…”
— Steve Zipay (@stevezipay) December 27, 2014
Watch #NYR prospect @aduclair10 score in last night’s #WJC2015 game for Canada http://t.co/MpGuakCjHQ https://t.co/F5q5hP1olq
— New York Rangers (@NYRangers) December 27, 2014
FULLTILT FORECAST
The Forecast is at 18-14 and humming.
The Devils are a mess, but may get a shot in the arm tonight with all the coaching changes. I expect them to come out hard and the Rangers need to weather the storm. If they can do that, the Blueshirts should be able to impose their game on NJ and get the win.
Now the question is, if AV does sit both Miller and Hunwick in favor of Stempniak and Moore, will it bite him on the rear? I don’t get it, but there has to be a reason. How about showcasing for a trade? We will see.
This one may be tight, but I’m guessing Rangers come out on top.
NYR 3 – NJD 2