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Game 64: NYR-MTL, Original Six match up at MSG, Hajek debut |
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The Rangers return to action tonight in an Original-6 match up tonight against the Canadiens. Libor Hajek, called up yesterday, will make his NHL debut paired with Neal Pionk. Brett Howden is inching closer and will not play together, but should be back earlier next week. New York faces the Capitals at MSG on Sunday.
David Quinn on Thursday:
Lines:
Chris Kreider-Mika Zibanejad-Jimmy Vesey
Vladislav Namestnikov-Ryan Strome-Jesper Fast
Brendan Lemieux-Lias Andersson-Pavel Buchnevich
Brendan Smith-Boo Nieves-Connor Brickley
Brady Skjei-Kevin Shattenkirk
Marc Staal-Tony DeAngelo
Libor Hajek-Neal Pionk
Henrik Lundqvist
The forward lines are likely what we see until Howden is ready to return. Smith has not looked out of place playing left wing, transitioning from defense to offense, where he saw some time in college. Smith has brought a physical presence to that line with him, Nieves and Brickley playing well since the unit was created. When Howden is back, who sits remains to be seen. My guess is that it will be Brickley or Smith with the deployment of where Howden plays to be determined. the same with apply once Filip Chytil's enforced benching ends.
On the blueline, Hajek and Pionk is a combination. I am guessing Fredrik Claesson will be the healthy scratch with Skjei skating with Shattenkirk and Staal remaining paired with DeAngelo. That latter duo has played fairly well, driven by the recentuptick in play by ADA.
Some quotes from Hajek and Quinn on Hajek:
“I was maybe trying too much to prove they made a good decision,” Hajek said Thursday after his first practice. “Sometimes I didn’t play good. That’s why, because I was trying to do too much. So I need to stay in my game.”
“Playing with men,” Hajek on adjusting to the AHL. “It’s not kids anymore. They are smarter, faster, better skill. So everything’s tougher.”
“I’m real happy that I spent time in Hartford,” he said. “I grew up there lots. … It’s my first year pro, so still kind of getting used to it. It wasn’t the greatest season, it’s pretty tough. But I keep working hard, keep trying to play my game.”
“To me, his bread and butter is going to be his ability to defend and make an outlet pass and join the rush,” Quinn said. “The less responsibility he feels, the more productive he’s going to be.”
"He’s earned this opportunity,” Quinn said. “He’s a guy who can skate. I really liked him in training camp. I thought he made good decisions with the puck. He makes a good outlet pass and does a good job taking away time and space. That’s why he’s here.
“Where he is over the last month, we feel his play has warranted this opportunity.”
I am curious to see if Ryan Lindgren gets another look see this season or maybe John Gilmour, though all signs point to him going elsewhere after the year ends, Same with Ville Meskanen up front. With logjams in both groupings, finding room to fit these players in and in spots that enable each to see enough quality playing time will be difficult. Granted, spots should be created based upon New York evaluating for the future, though that may not occur until Hartford's season ends.
New York Rangers Blogger • 
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