Thursday, December 23, 2010

Rangers Lineup: Zuccarello to Debut on Top Line

Per Andrew Gross the New York Rangers have announced tonight's lines for their tilt with the Tampa Bay Lightning.  Rookie Mats Zuccarello will get thrown right into the fire starting the game on the top line.  The full lines are as follows:

Brandon Dubinsky-Derek Stepan-Mats Zuccarello
Alex Frolov-Artem Anisimov-Chris Drury
Ruslan Fedotenko-Brian Boyle-Brandon Prust
Sean Avery-Erik Christensen-Todd White

Interesting decision to put Zuke up top, but the skill on that line can be formidable if they click.  Does playing Dubinsky and Stepan with Zuccarello instead of say Drury force the Boyle line into more ice since they might be the only trio that can match up against the Stamkos line?  Will it cause Dubinsky to think more defensively to potentially cover for his two linemates?

The defense is as expected:
Staal-Girardi
Eminger-Rozi
Gilroy-Sauer