Jan Levine: Complete team effort, Laf-Chytil-Blais show chemistry, in 3-1 win over Nash Rangers look to sweep road trip in Ottawa on Saturday

Physical teams like the Predators have been a difficult match up for the Rangers for the past couple years. I think last years team would have lost this game. Good for them to win another on the road!

The only concern that I have is Panarin doesn't look like himself. Weak passes and glaring turnovers are not usually part of his game. I hope that he is OK, because this team will start ROLLING if he rights himself!

This is exactly the kind of game we brought in the physical guys for and so far so good.

Ive been pushing to see Blias on the right side of some skilled guys and what do you know.

We still have growing pains but I like what Im seeing so far. I wish those same guys would be a little less wreckless and retaliatory when its not needed.

Shaping up to be something interesting.

When all the guys are back I think we have to go…

Kreider, Zib, Kakko
Panarin, Strome, Goodrow
LAF, Chytil, Blais
Hunt, Rooney, Reaves

PP1 should go back to the original.
PP2 should roll similar to PP1. LAF, Chytil, Trouba or Nils, Blais, Kakko

Love Blais. That trade is gonna end up looking like Brassard for Zib + 2nd.

Gotta keep that Laf - Chytil - Blais line together for now. Shame that this would have opened up a spot for Kravstov to play top 6 consistently.

I actually really like Dryden Hunt. Not sure why he gets so much hate.

This is exactly the kind of game we brought in the physical guys for and so far so good.

Ive been pushing to see Blias on the right side of some skilled guys and what do you know.

We still have growing pains but I like what Im seeing so far. I wish those same guys would be a little less wreckless and retaliatory when its not needed.

Shaping up to be something interesting.
- aecliptic

I don't mind it because it sets a tone. We've been known as the wimp squad for long enough and they need to change that rhetoric. Once they establish themselves it'll calm down but right now they're fixing years of perception

Love Blais. That trade is gonna end up looking like Brassard for Zib + 2nd.

Gotta keep that Laf - Chytil - Blais line together for now. Shame that this would have opened up a spot for Kravstov to play top 6 consistently.

I actually really like Dryden Hunt. Not sure why he gets so much hate.
- rangerdanger94

I had no idea that Sammy Blais had hands like this. Guy is silky smooth in traffic with the pack. Not going to say he’s better than Buchnevich skill wise cause he is not put he is probably the player we needed over Buch.

This Kravtsov situation really is bad. Haven’t commented on it but it stinks that between Lias & Kravtsov we had 2 top ten picks that will never pan out for us. I don’t think his teammates want him here anyway with that attitude.

When all the guys are back I think we have to go…

Kreider, Zib, Kakko
Panarin, Strome, Goodrow
LAF, Chytil, Blais
Hunt, Rooney, Reaves

PP1 should go back to the original.
PP2 should roll similar to PP1. LAF, Chytil, Trouba or Nils, Blais, Kakko
- aecliptic

If the Laf-Chytil-Blais line continues to play like that, we may not have another choice. I do worry about Goodrow as a facilitator, as he made some odd passes last night but do see the value in having him there to track down pucks.

In a perfect world, Gauthier would get a chance there and take full advantage but don’t see that happening unfortunately.

Love Blais. That trade is gonna end up looking like Brassard for Zib + 2nd.

Gotta keep that Laf - Chytil - Blais line together for now. Shame that this would have opened up a spot for Kravstov to play top 6 consistently.

I actually really like Dryden Hunt. Not sure why he gets so much hate.
- rangerdanger94

I mean I like Blais but lets wait and see first. The dude showed no offense the first 4 games haha. Nice game last night though. Not going to say he is better than Buch cause of one game

I had no idea that Sammy Blais had hands like this. Guy is silky smooth in traffic with the pack. Not going to say he’s better than Buchnevich skill wise cause he is not put he is probably the player we needed over Buch.

This Kravtsov situation really is bad. Haven’t commented on it but it stinks that between Lias & Kravtsov we had 2 top ten picks that will never pan out for us. I don’t think his teammates want him here anyway with that attitude.
- Awolff9

Yea it doesn't matter who is to blame in the end, the reality is the Rangers totally franked up two top 10 picks in back to back years. That is just awful Asset Management.

I really want to see this team at full strength for a few games to get some legit Chemistry going on lines.

It's nice to be 3-1-1 but Igor has really saved this team in long stretches. Hopefully the players get more comfortable in Gallant's system and Panarin plays like Panarin soon

The 3rd period was an example on how this team can play. After taking the lead, Nashville had 2 shots the rest of the game and only 5 the whole period.

If the Laf-Chytil-Blais line continues to play like that, we may not have another choice. I do worry about Goodrow as a facilitator, as he made some odd passes last night but do see the value in having him there to track down pucks.

In a perfect world, Gauthier would get a chance there and take full advantage but don’t see that happening unfortunately.
- TC88

The problem is you cant play Gauthier ahead of Goodrow and you certainly dont want to be paying Goodrow to play on the 4th line.

Although…
Kreider, Zib, Kakko
Panarin, Strome, Pajuniemi
LAF, Chytil, Blais
Goodrow, Rooney, Reaves

Would probably be a more dynamic setup. Im a Pooj fan after the preseason.

I mean I like Blais but lets wait and see first. The dude showed no offense the first 4 games haha. Nice game last night though. Not going to say he is better than Buch cause of one game
- TPC

he has flashes of speed hands and a shot. Usually he just bangs but he can play too. I will miss him but blues have several blais on the team we needed a skilled player with size since we lost hoffman and schwartz

Tarasenko is available...anyone. He is back to form and with a chip on his shoulder

Tarasenko is available...anyone. He is back to form and with a chip on his shoulder
- BlueTaco

Sarcasm?

The problem is you cant play Gauthier ahead of Goodrow and you certainly dont want to be paying Goodrow to play on the 4th line.

Although…
Kreider, Zib, Kakko
Panarin, Strome, Pajuniemi
LAF, Chytil, Blais
Goodrow, Rooney, Reaves

Would probably be a more dynamic setup. Im a Pooj fan after the preseason.
- aecliptic

I thought you just said Goodrow doesn't belong on the 4th line??

The three games they just won we would have lost last year under Quinn. The team is down two top 6 forwards, but played well enough defensively and Igor stood on his a head.

This team will improve as the season goes on and get harder to play against.

The problem is you cant play Gauthier ahead of Goodrow and you certainly dont want to be paying Goodrow to play on the 4th line.

Although…
Kreider, Zib, Kakko
Panarin, Strome, Pajuniemi
LAF, Chytil, Blais
Goodrow, Rooney, Reaves

Would probably be a more dynamic setup. Im a Pooj fan after the preseason.
- aecliptic

I actually like that a lot. Have you followed Pujaniemis season so far? Was very impressed with him all preseason.

And Goodrow makes that an elite 4th line. If he and Rooney are the top 2 PK guys, and he can jump up in the lineup at times if we need a spark I’m all for it.

No question, good team effort! I'm putting this out there. Is Filip Chytil in the plans for the future? It was a nice goal, his work away from the puck is what drives me to drink! Is a Dylan Strome for Chytil a fair deal to make? Chicago wants a more north south game and Chytil seems to only go one way but doesnt seem to remember that he needs to back check. Lines when Kaako and Strome return.

Zibanejad, Kreider, Goodrow
Strome, Panarin, Kaako
Chytil, Lafreniere Blais
Barron, Rooney Reeves.

I know Goodrow is not a top six winger but.....

Tarasenko is available...anyone. He is back to form and with a chip on his shoulder
- BlueTaco

Kravstov for Tarasenko with retained salary

No question, good team effort! I'm putting this out there. Is Filip Chytil in the plans for the future? It was a nice goal, his work away from the puck is what drives me to drink! Is a Dylan Strome for Chytil a fair deal to make? Chicago wants a more north south game and Chytil seems to only go one way but doesnt seem to remember that he needs to back check. Lines when Kaako and Strome return.

Zibanejad, Kreider, Goodrow
Strome, Panarin, Kaako
Chytil, Lafreniere Blais
Barron, Rooney Reeves.

I know Goodrow is not a top six winger but.....
- rangerbluelou

Yea not going to lie, after that goal I didn't notice Chytill at all. That could have been cause of all the penalties but just didn't see him on the ice.

Sarcasm?
- aecliptic

No not at all 1goal 1assist 3 games. If it were not for lehner standing on his head tank would have had a hatty. He was the most dominant player on the ice in the game against vegas. This was coming from The great one himself Wayno.

Tarasenko is still possibly available. He wanted a trade prior to the season. Everyone had thier reservations on wether he was healthy. The answer is in he is healthy, his shot is back and he smoke theodore several times wednesday.

The price though has increased its a first 2022 and A level prospect. possibly more

Kravstov for Tarasenko with retained salary
- rangerdanger94

lol are you serious absolutely not. There will be no retention.

Mathew roberston and your 2022 1st round pick for tank

I would like kravstov but there is not immediate place for him on the team and at this point it looks like he is going to return or stay in russia.

No not at all 1goal 1assist 3 games. If it were not for lehner standing on his head tank would have had a hatty. He was the most dominant player on the ice in the game against vegas. This was coming from The great one himself Wayno.

Tarasenko is still possibly available. He wanted a trade prior to the season. Everyone had thier reservations on wether he was healthy. The answer is in he is healthy, his shot is back and he smoke theodore several times wednesday.

The price though has increased its a first 2022 and A level prospect. possibly more
- BlueTaco

If thats the price, rangers wont pay it.