The mule kicks back!
Rangers against the New Jersey Devils.
The newly reassembled New York Rangers are finally starting to get back all of the key players that have gone down to injury this season. Tonight, will be the season debut of Vinny Prospal who had knee surgery that has benched him most of the year. Also coming back into the lineup are the two forwards who have had good success against the Devils so far this season. Brandon Dubinsky and Ryan Callahan played well in the past three victories against the Devils tonight and look to continue their success they have been having. It will be interesting to see where Prospal gets put in the lineup tonight. My guess would be on the fourth line to get him warmed up to the NHL level once again. Prospal has never missed this much playing time in his career, and h is not a rookie by any means.He needs to get the gears greased once again so that he can put up some more of his impeccable play-making skills he showcased last season.
The Devils have been riding a hot streak as of late. Patrick Elias has 8 points in his last 9 games and the Devils are in the midst of a 7-2-1 run in their last ten games. However, compared to the stats against the Rangers this season, it may be a different story than it is on paper. The Devils have score just two goals altogether against the Rangers so far this season. One coming from Ilya Kovalchuk, and the other from Travis Zajac that slipped in on a pile up in front of the net last time these two teams met in December. Along with that, Patrick Elias has a -5 combined amongst those three games, which is tied for worst plus/minus on the team against the Rangers this season with Andy Greene.
My Diagnosis
I am a firm believer in the "any given Sunday" mentality, but I do not believe it could happen tonight for the Devils. While they have piled it on in some games as of late, the Rangers have gotten back a lot more of their firepower, and look to take aim at the Devils tonight. Along with that, Matthew Corrente, who has the best plus/minus against the Rangers this season so far, sits tonight with a shoulder injury. All of these statistics couldn't convince a deaf and blind person to pick the Devils, and neither will I. I'm going with the boys in blue tonight.
My Predictions
Rangers win 4-1
Ryan Callahan will get the opening goal for the Rangers in the 1st period.
Derek Stepan will tally one for the Rangers coming early in the 2nd.
The Devils will then tally their lone goal of the game half way through the second from Patrick Elias.
Wojtek Wolski will also get a goal also in the 2nd.
And finally, Marian Gaborik will get the final goal coming in the 3rd.
Enjoy the game!
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