Jan Levine: Game 7: NYR 3 BUF 2, OT, Laf, Laf baby, rookie gets GW as first NHL goal Can exhale slightly....

so happy for laf

only thing i'd do w/ the lines is swap in gauthier for PDG. PDG isnt doing much right now and blackwell isnt coming out.

Why is Rooney not scratched every night?

In the same vein of Blackwell deserving ice time, it is obvious that Kakko deserves more ice time as well. While the focus is on Laf and his progress, which is very promising, Kakko looked very confident with the puck and tracking the puck last night. Also doing the little things in the offensive zone to keep plays going. However, he was not rewarded with ice time. I believe Laf got near 15mins and Kakko got 9mins. While I like Blackwell and believe he deserves to stick around until he proves otherwise, sacrificing any of Kakko's minutes when he is playing very strong would be a mistake IMO.

Deangelo had his best game last night, very noticeable

They should give Blackwell some more time and a shot to center the third line. Put him between Kreider and Lemieux, that could be the makings of a nice feisty third line.

Deangelo had his best game last night, very noticeable
- KreiderBomb

Well, when the team is controlling the ice and having solid play in the offensive zone, you dont get to see Tony make many mistakes.

Well, when the team is controlling the ice and having solid play in the offensive zone, you dont get to see Tony make many mistakes.
- aecliptic

His job is on the offensive end, i don't get as upset as most do about offensive defensemen having a lesser defensive side

Why the hell is KK getting so little ice time?? DQ is baffling sometimes!!

Why the hell is KK getting so little ice time?? DQ is baffling sometimes!!
- Brukie

Special teams. He isn't on the 1st PP, he doesn't PK

Why the hell is KK getting so little ice time?? DQ is baffling sometimes!!
- Brukie

the problem is that there are a million wingers, I mean, should he have played Buchnevich less?

Deangelo had his best game last night, very noticeable
- KreiderBomb

very engaged, first time he seemed into it, good sign

Why the hell is KK getting so little ice time?? DQ is baffling sometimes!!
- Brukie

Looking into his usage more, I am willing to take this past game as an anomaly that he was given 9mins of ice time due to the fact that the Rangers took 5 penalties.
He has averaged near 15mins per game in the past 4 games. Let's hope it's not a trend. Blackwell is avging over 12mins and Howden over 13mins a game. So it seems there is more to give him per game. I think he has earned more time than Howden for sure.

the problem is that there are a million wingers, I mean, should he have played Buchnevich less?
- jimbro83

(frank) no Buch has been our best player since game 1

Looking into his usage more, I am willing to take this past game as an anomaly that he was given 9mins of ice time due to the fact that the Rangers took 5 penalties.
He has averaged near 15mins per game in the past 4 games. Let's hope it's not a trend. Blackwell is avging over 12mins and Howden over 13mins a game. So it seems there is more to give him per game. I think he has earned more time than Howden for sure.
- NYRCeph

Howden and Blackwell are both on the PK I believe

Howden and Blackwell are both on the PK I believe
- mdw7413

Exactly. That's why the more penalties they take, the worse it is for Kakko. But I do think putting him on the PP more makes sense.

Looking into his usage more, I am willing to take this past game as an anomaly that he was given 9mins of ice time due to the fact that the Rangers took 5 penalties.
He has averaged near 15mins per game in the past 4 games. Let's hope it's not a trend. Blackwell is avging over 12mins and Howden over 13mins a game. So it seems there is more to give him per game. I think he has earned more time than Howden for sure.
- NYRCeph

well comparing him to Howden makes no sense because of the situation at center

I saw someone tweet last night that Quinn is an idiot because he'll play Kravstov with Howden when Kravstov comes over

what do we want, like 5 guys playing first line RW with Zibinajed?

the team has one center and 35 wingers

They ALMOST had the PP working properly, but its still wrong.

Fox and DeAngelo clearly have nice chemistry on the PP from the blueline. However, I feel the set play should have been flipped.

Panarin should be have been on the left hash rather than the right and Fox should have been playing from the right side rather than the left. We need our best shooter in a position to shoot.

Sure, they had nice control of the puck, but it seemed like they were working far harder than they should have been to try to get into a position to shoot with all that time.

this is great

the problem is that there are a million wingers, I mean, should he have played Buchnevich less?
- jimbro83

Kakko will get his time. Not concerned about it at all. The exciting aspect is he is making the most of his ice time when he is out there.

I’ll repost it this morning since it was late last night on the other blog:

Really neat to see the youth be the constant in each game. Miller, Kakko, Shesty and of course Laf with strong games. I think we’re just seeing the tip of the iceberg for some of these guys. They all show flashes of unbelievable talent.

well comparing him to Howden makes no sense because of the situation at center

I saw someone tweet last night that Quinn is an idiot because he'll play Kravstov with Howden when Kravstov comes over

what do we want, like 5 guys playing first line RW with Zibinajed?

the team has one center and 35 wingers
- jimbro83

I know that. Just using numbers as a comparison. And you are right. The Rangers are going to be running into a problem where they will have to prioritize who becomes the solidified top 6 wingers and move on from others via trade. Goes back to my argument of drafting or trading for players that fit the needs of the team and not just skilled players.

Exactly. That's why the more penalties they take, the worse it is for Kakko. But I do think putting him on the PP more makes sense.
- NYRCeph

I have no issue swapping Strome and Kakko on the PP

I know that. Just using numbers as a comparison. And you are right. The Rangers are going to be running into a problem where they will have to prioritize who becomes the solidified top 6 wingers and move on from others via trade. Goes back to my argument of drafting or trading for players that fit the needs of the team and not just skilled players.
- NYRCeph

This how the draft should go for the rangers

1st Round C
2nd Round C
3rd Round C
4th Round C
5th Round C
6th Round C
7th Round C

I have no issue swapping Strome and Kakko on the PP
- mdw7413

Whatever the case may be they need to run their top PP like the Caps run theirs. We have the players to do it.

I know that. Just using numbers as a comparison. And you are right. The Rangers are going to be running into a problem where they will have to prioritize who becomes the solidified top 6 wingers and move on from others via trade. Goes back to my argument of drafting or trading for players that fit the needs of the team and not just skilled players.
- NYRCeph

I think they made the right picks, but drafting Kravstov, Kakko and Lafreniere, signing Panarin, signing Kreider, it's clear that the next big move that this team makes has got to be down the middle

I can't get on Quinn for tinkering with the lines as much as everyone else does when he has this situation