The Rangers played an uneven game against the Maple Leafs on Wednesday. Fairly even in the first period, though they ended the frame down 1-0. Much better in the second, thanks to the Kid Line, and especially Flip Chytil, who scored both of the team's goals. Toronto took over the play in the third, tying the game, and a great move by Mitch Marner coupled with ole defense and New York fell 3-2, 19 seconds into the extra session. The Blueshirts close out their pre-All Star break schedule at home Friday against the Golden Knights.
Game recap:
Lines:
Panarin-Zibanejad-Kreider
Lafrenière-Chytil-Kakko
Vesey-Trocheck-Goodrow
Cuylle-Leschyshyn-Gauthier
Lindgren-Fox
Miller-Trouba
Harpur-Schneider
Shesterkin
Halák
Scratches: Blais, Hajek
A few thoughts:
1)
Too many big $ passengers - other than the Kid Line, which forwards stood out? Artemi Panarin did not have a great contest and spent too much time on the perimeter without using his shot enough. Mika Zibanejad might have been the best of the higher-price forwards, though he too was not visible. That duo was exposed on Marner's goal, with two main questions, why did Bread let Marner go and where were Zib and K'Andre Miller on that play? Give Marner credit for a great move but the defense certainly was invisible on the play.
Chris Kreider was brutal last night. He missed a wide open net on the power play that would have made the score 3-1; failed to pick up his man man, resulting in the tying goal; and, was moved to the third line with Jimmy Vesey sliding up. With Kreider, he has not looked great since coming back from the injury that sidelined him a week. The week off between Friday's game and the return to action on February 6 will hopefully serve the veteran well. We knew last year's 52 goals were an aberration, but he was on-pace for at least 35 goals this year. Unfortunately, as Larry Brooks noted, his production has completely dried up.
The chances are there in abundance for Kreider, whose inability to finish has seeped into his overall game. No goals on the power play since Nov. 13 on 17 shots and 31 attempts and with an almost impossible 9.52 shooting percentage following last year’s 39.39.
2) Brooks addressed the
moribund power play, reiterating a point we have brought up repeatedly.
Put Chytil in for Vincent Trocheck. That move would have nothing to do with Trocheck's struggles 5x5, which have resulted in not lighting the lamp since January 1, a span of 10 games. In addition, a swap would also not be impacted by Trocheck's inability to mesh with Panarin, resulting in Panarin now skating with Zib and Trocheck on the third line.
Rather, a change should be made to reward Chytil and also add a needed lefty to the first unit. As Brooks noted, Chytil has the quick-twitch skills and fast hands that Trocheck lacks. He would be fresh on a first power-play unit that has gone stale like bread from a bakery after 24 hours. In addition, he is a finisher, something also lacking with Trocheck there.
The Blueshirts have gone 2-for-22 in the last eight games (with the first unit on for one goal in the last 10 contests), they woke up Thursday morning ranked 17th in the 32-team league at 21.9 percent. Last year, the PP carried the team when they struggled 5x5 until the latter part of the year, when play improved at even-strength. Now, they have been better 5x5, though room for improvement exists. But the PP has hit the skids.
I am unsure how much more or what coach Gerald Gallant needs to see to make the change.
3)
Kid Line - dominant. The best line on the team Wednesday. Tremendous chemistry and work ethic. But their performance also begs the questions of why didn't Gallant roll with this line more down the stretch and why didn't he move Kakko up to the top line and double shift him instead of using Vesey? If the Kid Line remains intact and plays as they did the other night, Gallant has to utilize that trio move, especially if the top line is not excelling.
4)
Ben Harpur signed a two-year extension with a 787.5K AAV on Thursday.
The advanced numbers for Harpur are not kind. He has benefitted from a high SV% when on the ice. He would be a solid seventh or depth d-man, but is miscast as a sixth blueliner. As we discussed in the blog, the question with this move is what it means for Zac Jones and Matthew Robertson?
Jones did not make the most of the chances he received with the parent club, nor has he shown the hoped for growth in the minors. Robertson also has not taken a major step forward, contributing to him remaining in the minors. You have to wonder if either or both become trade bait at the deadline. I am not advocating giving up on additional young blueliners, but if neither will get a chance, moving them might end up a more palatable option for each and benefit the parent club. I would expect another d-man brought in at the deadline plus maybe this finally signals the end of Libor Hajek's tenure in New York.
New York Rangers Blogger • 
Join the Discussion:
»