New York kicks off their four-game road trip tonight in Chicago. The Rangers come in off a 5-2 win over the Panthers on Tuesday. Following today’s contest, the Blueshirts head to California for their annual three-game stint against the Ducks, Kings and Sharks.
The lines today will be what was on the ice Tuesday against the Panthers, which may be the first time no tweaks have been made after a previous game. Similar can be said about the blue line. Henrik Lundqvist will be between the pipes:
Chris Kreider, Mika Zibanejad, Mats Zuccarello Filip Chytil, Kevin Hayes, Jesper Fast Jimmy Vesey, Brett Howden, Pavel Buchnevich Cody McLeod, Vladislav Namestnikov, Ryan Spooner
Brady Skjei-Adam McQuaid Marc Staal-Neal Pionk Brendan Smith-Kevin Shattenkirk
Matt Beleskey passed through waivers and was assigned to Hartford. New York has dead cap space of $875K as the remainder of the $1.9 million New York is responsible, as Boston assumed the other half of his contract at the time of last year’s trade. If Beleskey plays well, I could see him getting a shot at the fourth line down the road, depending on how he plays for the Wolf Pack and the play of those currently in that role.
Vinni Lettieri and Tony DeAngelo are healthy scratches again. The bottom forward trio will continue to be a revolving door, with several seeing time in the press box. On defense, I think we all believe ADA warrants another shot to see what he can bring, so that a more accurate decision on his potential and status can be reached. He would to pass through waivers to be sent down, which we know will not happen. ADA has the potential – some of which we have seen – to be a plus-offensive defenseman with solid puck possession skills whose own zone coverage is questionable. The only way that can fully be determined is for him to play, though coach David Quinn has told DeAngelo what he needs to do and what he has to see at practice for him to get back on the ice. Hopefully, he gets another shot soon because having him as a healthy scratch does like for ADA’s development and future status on the team.
Teaching: One big aspect of this coaching staff that apparently was lacking in the prior regime is teaching and coaching, use whichever term you want. Quinn along with assistants Lindy Ruff, David Oliver and Greg Brown coach, they don’t let mistakes slide. The quote below from Marc Staal is a pretty good indication of the difference on the ice in practice compared to the last several seasons.
“It might not be fun if you’re on the other end of it, but we all know that it’s being done constructively, so that we get better as a team and as individuals. It takes time to break bad habits. He is still trying to instill good ones. He expects us to practice the same way he expects us to play. I get it. Everyone should. “If we’re not doing a drill properly, he’ll blow it down and explain it and he’ll do that as often as necessary until we get it right,… Staal said. “It’s different for the guys who have been here for a while, because AV [Alain Vigneault] didn’t do that, but I don’t think anyone should take it the wrong way.…
Accountability. Getting it right. Making sure mistakes are corrected. Teaching. Coaching. Aspects key for any player, but especially younger ones to make sure bad habits and mistakes aren’t repeated. Another reason why I am impressed by Quinn, the attention to detail.