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Rangers sweep both weekend games scoring six goals in each contest |
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The Rangers swept both games they played this weekend, tallying six goals in each contest. Friday, it was a balanced attack that produced the six tallies in a 6-3 win over Seattle. Saturday, Artmei Panarin lit the lamp four times and added an assist in a 6-2 victory over Carolina. New York continues its four game road trip with three contests in Western Canada beginning Wednesday in Vancouver.
Friday game recap:
Saturday game recap:
A few thoughts:
1) Lines - Friday we saw Panarin-Mika Zibanejad-Vladimir Tarasenko as a trio with Tarasenko scoring on his first shot as a Ranger. Saturday, that trio started together, but Gerald Gallant switched up the lines with that unit scuffling. Chris Kreider replaced Panarin who slid down to skate again with Vincent Trocheck, who was joined with Jimmy Vesey after Vitali Kravtsov got the nod on that line Friday.
That change paid immediate dividends, as evidenced by Panarin's stat line. Trocheck, who scored a goal and an assist Friday, added a pair of helpers Saturday. Vesey brought a physical and grinding effort that worked well against the Hurricanes. When the Tarasenko trade went down, I know some who felt Kreider might be better served skating with Zib and Tarasenko as opposed to Panarin, because CK20 is better suited to going to get the puck in the corners.
It's one game, and really two periods, so let's be careful not to overrate. What we did see is that Kravtsov, who failed to notch a shot Friday, may be back in the doghouse. If that is the case, and Elliotte Freidman is reporting the Rangers made Kravstov available for trade, getting a fourth line center to replace Jake Leschyshyn gains even more importance. One, because that line needs improvement, and second, since we might see Barclay Goodrow move up to the second line if Vesey scuffles.
I brought up Sam Lafferty, who is signed for another year at the same $1.15 mil AAV, in my prior blog. Nick Bjugstad (900K) would be a nice add and Nick Ritchie ($2.5 mil) could be a target as well. Taylor Raddysh (758K next year) has come up as well. The question is does Chris Drury target a center or winger. To me, center is way more important as it allows Goodrow to move up when needed, but a wing could be added. If cheap enough, New York could add two players with the $1.6 mil projected to be available if each team eats a percentage of the remaining contracts.
2) Goaltending - Igor Shesterkin was okay, not great, Friday. Up 5-1, Igor allowed a pair of goals, one of a slap shot on the power play and the second on a semi-breakaway. Shesterkin was beaten earlier in the game on a breakaway, but the offense tallied six to offset some so-so defense.
Saturday, Jaroslav Halak made 27 saves to stay hot. Most of the shots were not from high-danger locations, but he came up big when needed. Halak has won his last seven decisions, stretching back to December 17. With games Friday and Saturday, look for him to start in either Edmonton or Calgary.
3) Hot streak - the Rangers (31-14-8) are 6-0-1 in the past seven games. The wins have not always been pretty, but victories are victories. With the current hot streak, New York now sits six points shy of Carolina and three of New Jersey, each who have a game in hand. More importantly, they are now eight points ahead of Washington, who have played one more match and sit in the first Wild Card spot, nine points north of Pittsburgh, who have played two fewer games and 10 points ahead of the Isles, who are ninth in the conference and have suited up three more times than the Blueshirts.
New York Rangers Blogger • 
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