Lack to start for Canucks against Rangers

Tuesday, 04.01.2014 / 4:23 PM

By Kevin Woodley - NHL.com Correspondent / 2013-2014 At the Rink Blog

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VANCOUVER -- Vancouver Canucks rookie goalie Eddie Lack never has met fellow Swede Henrik Lundqvist, but he long has admired the New York Rangers star goaltender.

Lack will face Lundqvist for the first time Tuesday (10 p.m. ET, TSN), but wasn't yet sure if he'd speak up while they are stretching at the red line during pregame warm-ups.

"He's a guy I have been looking up to for almost 10 years now and I've been looking forward to this a while," Lack said of Lundqvist, who will be back in goal for the Rangers after serving as the backup Sunday against the Edmonton Oilers. "It's a great moment for me."

There are similarities between Lack and Lundqvist in terms how they play deeper in their crease and minimize their movements. Lack, who is making his 17th straight start, cited Lundqvist among a handful of goalies he watches closely to find things he can improve in his game.

But Lack won't have as good a read on the rest of the Rangers because it appears New York will shake up its forward lines despite their 5-0 win against the Oilers on Sunday, its sixth win in seven games.

The Rangers didn't skate Tuesday morning, but based on practice Monday it appears left wing Carl Hagelin will move to the top line with center Derek Stepan and Rick Nash, a spot that opened when Chris Kreider injured his hand last week. Dominic Moore will move from the fourth line to center the second unit, with Brad Richards moving to left wing and Martin St. Louis on the right.

"I'm going to sleep on it," Vigneault said Monday of the changes, citing Hagelin's speed as being similar to Kreider's.

Here are the projected lineups for the Rangers and Canucks:

RANGERS

Carl Hagelin - Derek Stepan - Rick Nash

Brad Richards - Dominic Moore - Martin St. Louis

Mats Zuccarello - Derick Brassard - Benoit Pouliot

Daniel Carcillo - Brian Boyle - Derek Dorsett

Ryan McDonagh - Dan Girardi

Anton Stralman - Marc Staal

Raphael Diaz - Kevin Klein

Henrik Lundqvist

Cam Talbot