Don't look now, but despite all the ups-and-downs, the Rangers are in a virtual tie for a playoff spot. New York earned that right with a 3-2 overtime win over Minnesota on Thursday ending their four-game losing streak. Jonny Brodzinski scored in his home state in the third period while Vincent Trocheck ended his scoring drought with a second period tally. Igor Shesterkin made 26 saves to notch win #157, tied with Dave Kerr for sixth most in franchise history.
The Rangers are tied with the Blue Jackets for the Eastern Conference's final wild-card spot. Columbus has a game in hand and a slight edge in points percentage, but New York will have a chance to change that equation and exact some revenge when the two teams square off Saturday night in Ohio. Following that contest, the Blueshirts take on the Oilers at home Sunday.
Scratches: Pärssinen, de Haan, Kaliyev (upper body)
IR: Edström (lower-body), Fox (upper-body)
A few thoughts:
1) Rejiggered lines: coach Peter Laviolette shook up the lines for Thursday's game. He was attempting to get a new look and maybe spur some players that have stagnated. While the end result did not show up on the scoreboard, I did see some improved play. Saturday wll be a better evaluation, as the team was run off the ice last Sunday. They now get a chance to show they are better than what we saw in all three zones.
Vince Mercogliano posted these numbers in his column:
Laviolette moved Alexis Lafrenière from right wing on the first line back to his original left wing spot, but on the second line. The Lafreniere-JT Miller-Mika Zibanejad trio failed to score and only produced two shots on goal, but their underlying numbers suggest there could be more in the tank. Scoring chances were 7-3 in the Rangers' favor while they were on the ice, including 3-0 for high-danger chances.
The main motive was likely to spark Lafrenière, who's had a frustrating season following last year's breakout. The 23-year-old has now gone 14 straight games without a goal dating back to Feb. 2, with only five assists in that span. What makes even less sense is that he started the season on such a roll, contributing to him receiving and signing a long-term extension. Since then, his game has gone completely south.
With Lafreniere moved down, Will Cuylle moved up, shifting from the left side to the right, his off-hand. His growth and why we all are so high on him was on full display yesterday. Cuylle's physical brand of play never takes a game off, nor does his motor. It's those two aspects coupled with his skill making him a key component of the future.
The Artemi Panarin-Trocheck-Cuylle line dominated possession and finished with a 9-2 edge in shots on goal, according to Natural Stat Trick. They out-attempted the Wild, 19-5, with a 7-1 advantage in scoring chances and an 83.48% xGF. In addition, Cuylle tied for the team lead with four SOG while pacing everyone with seven hits across 16:22 time on ice. Just a complete game across the board.
2) Many Rangers' fans have been calling for Brodzinski to be benched. He has remained in the lineup over Arthur Kaliyev, who now is out with an upper body injury suffered on a hit against Winnipeg. He also has dressed over Juuso Pärssinen. Maybe, just maybe, Laviolette was correct.
Brodzinski dressed over both because of the speed element he brings and steadier all-around game, but also because of the positive influence he has on the Rangers' youth. JB was a leader in Hartford, taking the younger players under his wing. That mentality and approach carried forward with him to the NHL.
He hosted his linemates, Brennan Othmann and Matt Rempe, along with Brett Berard, Will Cuylle and Zac Jones, for dinner at his home in Andover on Wednesday. Then in front of 50-60 family members and friends, Brodzinski tallied in the third period with a snipe over Filip Gustavsson's glove. Look for him to remain in the lineup, especially due to te other options available.
3) Rempe received a reputation penalty for the second straight game. This one cost the team, as the Wild tied the game at one just as the man-advantage ended. The call was brutal, there is no other way to describe it.
The replay showed Minnesota forward Devin Shore skating into Rempe, not the other way around, yet the call went against Rempe. He was penalized because he is big and his reputation. Pure garbage. Get the call right.
4) Schneider finished second on the team in ice time at 21:52. A great change between him and Zac Jones gave him space as he came off the board in the offensive zone. Schnider deked Brock Faber, giving him the middle of the slot, then beat Gustavsson high over the glove for the game-winner. We keep forgetting Schneider is just 23, he has tons more room to grow into his role as a top-four blueliner.
New York Rangers Blogger • 
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