Got high sticked playing hockey yesterday. Makes me wonder how these guys do it on a nightly basis.
Rangers against the Tampa Bay Lightning.
The Lightning have gotten the best of the Rangers so far this season, winning all three of their prior meetings. Today's game is the final scheduled meeting of the season between these two clubs, and it is an important one. As the Rangers stand in the playoffs right now, they would have to face Tampa Bay in the first round. A win today could boost the teams confidence, letting them know that they can beat the Lightning, and from there on, who knows? The Rangers managed to pull out a decisive shutout victory over the Capitals two nights ago to the score of 6-0. Erik Christensen stepped up and gave the Rangers two goals and two assists as he filled the void for the injured Marian Gaborik, who sat with a concussion. Along with Christensen, some reinforcements have arrived from the Florida Panthers to help out while Marc Staal sits with a knee injury. Defenseman Bryan McCabe was traded for Tim Kennedy, and a third round draft pick yesterday. McCabe has a history of being a very offensive defenseman, as well as a great power-play quarterback which is something the Rangers have been in dire need of all season. McCabe will take the place of Michael Del Zotto as he gets sent down to Connecticut to develop a little more.
The Lightning are on a two game winning streak as they downed the New Jersey Devils and Phoenix Coyotes in Tampa earlier this week. The Lightning are away for the first time in eight games tonight, as they end a long home-stand in Tampa.
My Diagnosis
As I've said in the past, the only way the Rangers are going to come out on top in this one is if they contain Martin St. Louis and Steven Stamkos. Hopefully, with the new firepower on the blue line in McCabe, that could be a little easier on the young defensive core of the Rangers. Its going to be difficult, as the Lightning are a stunning team right now, but it is possible. and maybe the fact that they haven't played away from home in their last eight games can bump them a little out of their comfort zone enough to throw them off. You hear that MSG? BRING THE NOISE!!!!!
My Predictions
Rangers win 2-1 in the shootout.
Derek Stepan will get the first goal for the Rangers early in the 1st.
Martin St. Louis will tie it up in the 2nd period.
And the final shootout goal will be scored by Mats Zuccarello.
Enjoy the game!
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