It's never good karma to revel in others' misery but...
...but if you're the Rangers and you potentially need to win all three of your remaining games, starting tonight against the Canadiens at the Garden, you'll take any edge you can get.
So it was a good night for the Rangers last night as Detroit topped Buffalo, 4-1, leaving the Sabres four points behind both the Rangers and Panthers with three to play for each. Plus, Ottawa went into Montreal and beat Les Habs, 3-2, in regulation. More significantly for the Rangers, the Canadiens have lost defensemen Andrei Markov and Mathieu Schneider to injuries. Markov is expected to be out three weeks with what appears to be a knee injury and Schneider is expected to undergo season-ending shoulder surgery.This much is certain, the Canadiens' top power-play defense pairing will not play tonight in New York.
Of course, that doesn't guarantee anything at the Garden. But Montreal will be a tired team, having played last night, with new parts on their blue line. Given how well the Rangers have played at home as of late, they should be able to press the attack and create turnovers off their forecheck.
Check back for an update off the optional morning skate, where it's likely to be confirmed that right wing Nik Antropov will be able to play tonight despite a left knee-to-knee collision with Boston's Milan Lujic in Saturday's 1-0 loss.
If they stick Kovalev on the point, Lundqvist will still have to deal with a heavy shot. The key in my mind tonight will be the third line since Montreal has such a deep lineup. Sjostrom does not match up well against this team, and it would be a big mistake to stick him on the checking line again in favor of Korp, especially if Lapierre's line is on the ice.
Posted by: Chris | April 07, 2009 at 09:45 AM
actually i think sjoe matches up well with montreal since they are a fast team and so is he. korp also matches up well with them.
Posted by: LI Joe | April 07, 2009 at 12:17 PM
I want to see the puck match up with the back of the net off a Rangers stick a few times tonight.
Posted by: TK | April 07, 2009 at 12:25 PM
Having both of those D-men out of the picture should be great for us.
The Rangers have a lot of things going for them tonight and Montreal a lot against them. Hopefully we can capitalize, but if not I don't expect to make the playoffs this year.
Hopefully whatever happens we will be better off next year (somehow).
Posted by: Jeff S | April 07, 2009 at 12:39 PM
LI Joe - The reason I don't think Sjostrom matches up well is because alot of his play is along the boards and not open-ice. I want to see Korp, and Dubi, for that matter, take out Tanguay, Koivu, etc. in the open-ice/neutral zone.
Posted by: Chris | April 07, 2009 at 01:05 PM
Well I don't have to be PC so I say I love it that Montreal's Dmen are out of the game and hopefully that translates into a few odd man rushes and the Blueshirts will smack em! Sjostrom is a personal favorite of mine-hope he gets one tonight. Korpo is looking good lately too. LGR!!!!
Posted by: Keith | April 07, 2009 at 04:12 PM
chris - well maybe both can play and move naslund to 4th line. i know they won't do that but they should
Posted by: LI Joe | April 07, 2009 at 04:15 PM
I agree, Joe. Naslund is as slow as Orr.
Posted by: Chris | April 07, 2009 at 05:17 PM