GAMEDAY REPORT: Vigneault announces lineup for CRUCIAL game 2

When the New York Rangers take to the ice at Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa for game 2 of their second round playoff series against the Ottawa Senators in an attempt to even up the score, they’ll do so with the exact same lineup they had in game 1.

“No changes”, was the edict from head coach Alain Vigneault who expects his team will, “be disciplined and play to our strengths…it should be real exciting hockey.” The news means that the Rangers will continue to employ an offence by committee strategy by spreading their scoring throughout the lineup. It’s expected that Kevin Hayes will center the team’s top line with JT Miller and Mats Zuccarello, Mika Zibanejad will center Pavel Buchnevich and Chris Kreider and Derek Stepan will center Rick Nash and Jimmy Vesery. The trio of Oscar Lindber, Michael Grabner and Jesper Fast will be tasked with performing as the shutdown line.

On defense the Rangers pairings should feature Ryan McDonagh and Dan Girardi on the top spots, followed by Brady Skjei and Brendan Smith along with Nick Holden and Marc Staal. Of course, King Henrik Lundqvist started in goal. It’s gameday, Rangers fans!