Who Should Make the Team?
Good question! I’ve changed my mind on this with every game, but unless something wild happens in the preseason finale, this is the roster I would field. Yes, this is what I WANT to happen, not what I think will happen, necessarily.
Chris Kreider-Mika Zibanejad-Pavel Buchnevich
Rick Nash-Kevin Hayes-Mats Zuccarello
J.T. Miller-Filip Chytil-Michael Grabner
Boo Nieves-David Desharnais-Jimmy Vesey
Scratches: Lias Andersson
The lines allow you to roll four lines throughout the game, as Vesey provides a nice chunk of offense for the fourth line. I will get into Chytil and Andersson on the next slide.
Ryan McDonagh-Kevin Shattenkirk
Brady Skjei-Neal Pionk
Brendan Smith-Anthony DeAngelo
Scratches: Nick Holden, Marc Staal
The New York Rangers’ only responsibility is to ice the best roster possible. While I was previously hesitant about splitting up Skjei and Smith, doing so allows everyone to play on their natural sides, while also allowing the team to roll three defensive pairings. Additionally, Anthony DeAngelo gets a defensive-minded defenseman in Brendan Smith on his side.
The goaltenders will be Henrik Lundqvist and Ondrej Pavelec.