Game 6 Preview: What Can the Rangers Do With Their Backs Against The Wall?

For whatever reason, this New York Rangers group seems to thrive when they're backs are up against the wall. With their season now on the line, what response do they have for this New Jersey Devils team that has completely dominated them for back-to-back games.

Well, this is it. A week ago, many people couldn't have guessed that we'd be talking about the New York Rangers being on the brink of elimination at home in game six after jumping out to a 2-0 series lead. 

To the credit of the New Jersey Devils, they became alive in this series after the Dougie Hamilton overtime goal in game three. Since that goal, this young Devils group hasn't looked back and now they have two opportunities to advance to the second round. 

New Jersey is certainly in the driver's seat right now, but there is something about the New York Rangers that respond when their season is on the line. That being said, for a team that has only scored two goals in the last three games, you'd have to think they're lacking a bit of confidence. 

I asked Rangers' forward, Barclay Goodrow about how important the first goal is tonight and what it will do to the teams confidence to see a puck go in the net. Goodrow replied "Obviously we would love to score the first goal tonight, but even if we don't I think we have a belief throughout our team no matter what the games at, what the series is at. We have a group that’s capable of doing great things. We believe in eachother, in our system and what got us to this point so our confidence hasn't waivered and whatever the situation, we have a lot of belief." 

Goodrow was one of the few players for the Rangers that made an impact in game five, challenging the Devils massive blue liner, Kevin Bahl, to a pretty solid tilt. 

The Devils have certainly gotten under the Rangers skin in the past few games and the frustration has started to show for New York. So the question is, what can the Rangers do to flip the script and rattle this younger Devils team? 

Ryan Lindgren touched on the topic this morning saying “I think being physical, playing on the edge, I think that is going to benefit us. They’re a skilled team, not overly physical, so I think if we provide that physicality, that’s gonna go well for us. We don't want to be taking dumb penalties, putting them on the power play, but I think playing with that edge, doing what you can to slow them down, bump them and throw hits on them when you can is going to be huge for us I think." 

The Rangers are not concerned about a game seven. The message is loud and clear that this team just needs to find a way to come out tonight and win a hockey game. 

If they focus on the little things, such as getting traffic to the net and pucks on net, the rest will take care of itself. 

Gerard Gallant has changed up the forward lines, keeping the fourth line as is, but putting Mika Zibanejad between Chris Kreider and Vladimir Tarasenko on the first line. Alexis Lafreniere with Vincent Trocheck and Patrick Kane on the second line, while Artemi Panarin moves down to line three with Filip Chytil and Kaapo Kakko. 

The New York Rangers need something to spark them offensively, perhaps one of these new combinations can make something happen. 

I am expecting a very rowdy, but restless crowd tonight at MSG as the Rangers season is on the line, but we are in store for what should be one hell of a hockey game.