12/23/10 Rangers vs. Lightning

Lightning doesn't strike twice in the same place.

Rangers at home against the Tampa Bay Lightning.

The Rangers have had mostly all of this week off despite their last game which was a shellacking up in Filthadelphia last weekend. Within that time, the Rangers have had a chance to prepare all week for tonights game. Tonight though, the Rangers will be missing a key player in Marian Gaborik, who sits tonight with a groin injury. Along with Gaborik, Michael Del Zotto has come down with flu symptoms and is questionable. To replace them, Matt Gilroy has been placed in the lineup, and Mats Zuccarello has been called up from the minors to make his Rangers debut. I'm really excited to see Zuccarello get his first shot in the NHL tonight. I watched the Winter Olympics avidly last year, and he immediately jumped out to me as an awesome player on a lowly Norwegian hockey team. He may be small compared to a lot of players in the league, but this Norwegian has some speed to his game.

The Lightning are coming off a disappointing overtime loss to the Islanders last night. Along with that, they also have their share of injuries. Steve Downie is out with a sprained ankle, and Mike Smith, co-goalie with Dan Ellis, is also gone. But regardless of those inconveniences, they are still a dangerous team. Steven Stamkos has 5 goals in his last 6 games. He has dropped out of the 50 goals in 50 games speculation, but still manages to but up impressive numbers. Just recently, he has hit his 100 goal mark... in just his third year in the league. His play is always impressive and can always be a threat to the opposition, including the Rangers.

My Diagnosis


Like the last time these two teams meet, I predict at least five goals in total from both teams. It is going to be a hard fought game, but I believe that since the Rangers have had more time off, they are more prepared, while the Lightning are playing their second game in 24 hours. The Lightning are tired, and downtrodden, while the Rangers are ready to go. Despite having no Marian Gaborik and no Ryan Callahan, the Rangers can, and will exploit the weaknesses in this Lightning team without them.

My Prediction


Rangers win 4-2

Derek Stepan will break the scoring open with a goal for the Rangers, the only goal in the 1st period.
Steven Stamkos will pull the two teams even early in the 2nd period.
Sean Avery will put another one up for the Rangers half way through the 2nd.
Brandon Dubinsky will give the Rangers a 3-1 lead, the final goal of the 2nd period.
Nate Thompson will cut the deficit to one half way through the 3rd period.
And finally, Alex Frolov will get the empty netter to win the game.

Enjoy the game!