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Rangers face Capitals at home, Filip Forsberg rumored to be available |
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After three days off, the Rangers return to action Thursday, kicking off a stretch of three games in four nights. Tonight, New York faces divisional rival Washington. Saturday, the Blueshirts travel to Pittsburgh for a 3pm contest against the Penguins. Following that contest, the Rangers return home to face the Canucks and an up close view of J.T. Miller.
In practice the last two days, coach Gerad Gallant shuffled the lines again. Barclay Goodrow, who did not look that out of place on the second line, has been shifted back to the fourth line to re-create the chemistry that existed with him, Ryan Reaves and Kevin Rooney earlier this year. The bottom trio should now be a line that has some bite and grit, albeit at the expense of Goodrow on the second line, where he was not a perfect fit, but solid enough.
Sliding back up is Dryden Hunt. I guess the hope is that he can mirror what Hunt or Sammy Blais provided when they were with that group. Unsure I have seen much to date to warrant moving Hunt up, since other than a handful of games, we have yet to see any semblance of finishing ability. In addition, Hunt is not someone who has tremendous creativity, but he can bang, retrieve pucks and be the physical presence opposite Panarin and Strome. He is better suited to the bottom-six, but for now, he skates with the big boys.
The third line, well, it's a composition at best. I know railing on Greg McKegg has become the easy default position, irrespective of pining for Morgan Barron to play. But having McKegg and Julien Gauthier, neither of whom can finish, with Filip Chytil makes you realize how badly 1-2 wingers are needed. Chytil hasn't been great, but being bogged down with a duo who can't finish or really create surely isn't a way to maximize his talent or build his confidence. Maybe we all will be surprised - I sure hope so - but not confident.
Kreider - Zibanejad - Lafreniere
Panarin - Strome - Hunt
McKegg - Chytil - Gauthier
Goodrow - Rooney - Reaves
In addition, Patrik Nemeth, who was good Sunday, gets a chance to show he deserves to remain in the lineup. Zac Jones was sent to Hartford, giving Nemeth a bit more security. i still think a chance will be made before the deadline, but Nemeth is afforded the opportunity to change the narrative and keep Jones in the AHL and lower the type of blueliner New York will pursue.
Run, don't walk to pursue Filip Forsberg, who is making $6 mil this year and is a UFA after the season. If there is one mild downside, it's that Forsberg is a left winger. But the talent, the ability to score and the fact he is a UFA, which means no long-term commitment, enabling the ability to pursue additional talent all make Forsberg nearly a must pursue and add. A little surprised that Nashville, who is in a playoff spot, would move him, but they clearly do not want to allow him to go as a free agent without receiving something in return. Forberg has 26 goals and 18 assists in 38 games, and at 27, still is in the prime of his career. Many names are expected to be available in the trade market, but if Forsberg is available, adding him would make New York a much more difficult team to face.
New York Rangers Blogger • 
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