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Shorthanded Rangers take on Maple Leafs who welcome back Auston Matthews |
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The Rangers continue their road trip Monday facing the Maple Leafs. Toronto welcomes back Auston Matthews, who missed the first three games of the season after offseason wrist surgery. While the Buds are getting healthier, the Blueshirts will be without both Ryan Strome (COVID) and Kappo Kaako (upper body).
With Kakko landing on IR and out at least a week, New York called up Morgan Barron. The hope is that Kakko will miss just the minimum seven days, but no word on the type and severity of the injury has been provided, which is a theme to date. The line combinations though are mildly head scratching.
Why call up Barron and play him on the fourth line and not the third line? Rooney is better suited to bottom trio duties. What this also highlights is the lack of true depth within the organization.
With Pavel Buchnevich now in St. Louis and Vitali Kravtsov in Russia awaiting a trade, the third line - which now has become a large part of the second line - doesn't really have the scoring depth that existed previously. If Kravtsov had remained/gone to Hartford, he quite likely would have been promoted due to the injuries. The absence of the two above coupled with the promotion of Chytil and Goodrow, who is more a third rather than second liner, has dramatically weakened the scoring depth.
If Kakko is out long-term, Lauri Pajuniemi, who was solid in camp and playing well in Hartford, could get a look. The depth is at the lower levels, largely juniors, so barring a deal involving Kravtsov or his unlikely return, what we see is what we will get. I still think the third line should have been constructed as a scoring line who could provide checking pressure rather than the inverse.
My view on the Kravtsov aware has been made well known. He should be here and should have remained in the US. That also doesn't mean the team is blameless for how this situation has transpired. But if he was told that conditioning was a question and he didn't remain in the US or work hard enough over the summer on that aspect, it's on him. I will say though this information now coming out is convenient and also may be provided to make the organization look better. Losing two, top-10 picks for little in comparison - but I hope Will Cuylle pans out wit the pick acquired for Lias Andersson - is not wise asset management. As of now, the likelihood of him ever suiting up again for the Blueshirts is remote and GM Chris Drury is prepared to wait until his asking price is met, so no resolution looks imminent.
Who is between the pipes tonight? Stay tuned. Gallant has played this game for each of the first four games. He clearly likes tweaking the media and has shown some favorites - the newbies are not on that list. Plus, given all the focus and partnership with gambling sites, the lack of revealing a goalie early is mildly surprising and I wonder if the league nicely tries to nudge Gallant in this regard.
Alexandar Georgiev has good numbers against Toronto but Igor has been good in both his games played and is coming off a brilliant start versus Montreal. The next game is Thursday, so if they play Shesterkin tonight, he still gets two days off before the Nashville contest. Ride the hot hand and stop playing games.
I would be remiss if I didn't say fare thee well to Rick Carpinello from the Athletic, who is retiring November 1. If you were not reading his game recap columns, you were missing out. He was always gracious and welcoming to me with any questions I had and sending best wishes for him for the future.
New York Rangers Blogger • 
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