The Rangers take on the Bruins at home for the second time in three days. New York fell 3-2 in overtime Wednesday in a contest where they went toe-to-toe with Boston. We still await word on the extent of Artemi Panarin's "injury," which could be core, adductor, groin or hip and if he will play. My view, if there is any doubt or concern, sit him for at least one game. In addition, have a hunch Mika Zibanejad gets one tonight.
Update 11:45AM: Artemi Panarin is out tonight and listed as day-to-day with a lower-body injury. Laf will move up into his spot with Strome and Kakko. Colin Blackwell returns to the lineup. Botton six, lines to be determined, will consist of Blackwell, Rooney, Howden, Gauthier, Lemiuex and PDG.
Larry Brooks:
The Rangers' defense looks dramatically different https://t.co/iQwjt1VHAZ pic.twitter.com/Ob4EVXaE3u
— New York Post Sports (@nypostsports) February 12, 2021
The D has been better. Whether it's the scheme, better understanding of the system or talent, due to K'Andre Miller, New York has been better. The goal by Anders Bjork, as Brooks noted, was a rarity this year, since usually, net-front presence, a prior major bug-a-boo, has been less of a problem this season. The third pair is still a work-in-process and hard not to wonder if ADA was still here, how he might have meshed with Anthony Bitetto or Libor Hajek and if he could have aided the power play, despite his early-season struggles. But that ship has sailed.
There are fewer instances of the puck being turned over in the neutral zone or just across the offensive line. That has limited the number of 90- or 130-foot odd-man rushes that had reached a critical mass by the middle of last season. The Rangers have become guilty of chipping the puck in on full line changes, thus allowing opponents to have free egress out of their zone, but it’s probably a mistake to ask for too much at once
The below was a hot topic on the blog and Rangers twitter, maximizing cap room by sending players to the taxi squad. The downside is you are costing players not making a lot of money initially cash from their pocket. Our hope is that the team will make it up to them in the future. Brooks' point on Igor is interesting. My view is because of the challenges that existed with getting him here and the still uneasy balance between those in the US that have the ability to go back to the KHL, along with language and interpretation barriers, the team does not want to rock that boat. Especially if he is the #1, why do something that may be misinterpreted as the team not having faith and confidence.
The Rangers have taken to assigning Kaapo Kakko and Miller to the taxi squad on off-days in order to save on cap space. Both the base salary and potential bonuses are cut by 1/116 for each day off the roster. The savings compound. And with Kakko having a $2.65 million bonus package, the total saving will be significant.But the Rangers have yet to assign Igor Shesterkin, who carries a bonus package of $2.85 million, to the taxi squad. The club would have to replace him on the roster with another goaltender, but the Blueshirts would save more on the bonus than they do with Kakko, and much more than they do with Miller, whose bonuses max out at $300,000.
Remember, a player making $832,500 in the NHL and $70,000 in the AHL — as do the three youngsters cited here — loses approximately $5,100 a day in real money when on the taxi squad.
General manager Jeff Gorton declined to comment when asked about the decision-making process.
You don't know what you have until it's gone. Henrik Lundqvist was brilliant on breakaways for years. Same with making a key save at a key moment. Now, that luxury is gone and the transition isn't easy. Igor failed to make the big save at the big moment earlier in the year while Georgiev did so in the win against the Isles. But the Chris Wagner goal the other night was the killer. No offense to Wagner, but it's a big difference if Wagner or Brad Marchand, who scored in overtime, is coming in on you on a breakaway. Plus, on the Anders Bjork goal, if Georgiev's stick is on the ice, he has a shot at the same. Key saves in key moments, for NY, the lack of them has been all too readily apparent so far this season.
Alexandar Georgiev was strong in nets on Wednesday, but No. 40 nevertheless allowed two breakaway goals, one a shortie to Chris Wagner and the other the overtime loser to Brad Marchand. Georgiev has surrendered five breakaway goals in five starts. If he has denied one, I cannot locate it. Teams need their goaltenders to erase mistakes
Filip Chytil was added to the COVID-19 protocol list. This doesn't mean he has it, plus, it's unclear if he has been around the team as he rehabs his shoulder injury, meaning that even if he does, he may not have infected others. Chytil is likely 2-3 weeks away from returning and hopefully, this move was solely precautionary. If not, then his timeframe for return could remain the same, but as we have seen with Zib, his stamina, jump on the ice and ultimately performance may be adversely impacted.