The Rangers got right back to winning ways, posting a 4-0 shutout of the Flyers. Kaapo Kakko notched a pair of goals while Alexandar Georgiev stopped all 28 shots he faced in pitching his second shutout of the season. New York has a little bit of a light schedule upcoming, as they have two days before facing Detroit at home Saturday, then two more days off before a home matchup against the Jets next Tuesday.
Game recap;
A few thoughts: 1) Kakko - after missing 31 games with a wrist/hand injury, Kakko broke through in his third game back. On a line with Filip Chytil and Barclay Goodrow, Kakko benefited from solid play by each but also created his own space to make plays. The trio, as noted by coach Gerard Gallant, was able to use their strength down low and skill in open ice to generate offense
"He was excellent," Gallant said of Kakko. "He drove the net and that line was excellent. They made some real good plays. They played the way you’re supposed to play. They created some good offense down low and I thought they were the most consistent line all night for us."
Whether that trio stays together remains to be seen. One name missing from what was expected to become the reunited Kid Line was Alexis Lafreniere. His absence resulted in Goodrow skating with Chytil and Kakko.
2) Lafreniere was a healthy scratch as Gallant confirmed that Lafrenière wasn’t hurt and will be back Saturday against Detroit. After a six-game point streak in late March, he went eight consecutive games without one prior to Wednesday's scratch. In addition, recently, he has looked like he could use a day off, not carrying play or having the same edge as he did during the hot streak.
The 20-year-old winger, in his second season in the NHL, had played 72 of the Rangers first 74 games before sitting yesterday. Laf sitting may just be the tip of the iceberg as to who gets a day off down there stretch. Gallant and his coaching staff have some interesting decisions to make over the next two-plus weeks.
3) With New York likely locked into the two-spot in the Metro, though still with an outside shot at first in the Metro, strategic rest will be the probable buzzwords. In the final seven games, giving certain players a contest off here and there to help make sure they are fresh for the postseason becomes one of the goals. The balance of not allowing players to lose their edge while giving time a target day off to keep their legs fresh is what remains to be figured out.
Winning yesterday pulled the Rangers back within two points of the first place Hurricanes and widened their lead for second over the Penguins to seven points with seven games remaining. Finishing above Carolina is still possible, especially since the two teams meet again April 26, but not probable. If the internal view is second place is the aim and likely ending spot, then sitting players periodically makes sense.
4) Georgiev was good early when he needed to be, as New York was outshot 7-1 to start the game. In addition, when a big stop was required, even against a Flyers squad missing six regulars, he was up to the task. He is far from perfect, but has gotten better, aided by consistent work, making him a viable backup and raising his value in the off-season trade market.
From the post-game notes: Georgiev has eight NHL shutouts; three have come in eight games against the Flyers. He also has won six straight starts. Georgiev and Igor Shesterkin (seven games, Dec. 31-Jan. 24) are the first Rangers goalies to each win at least six straight starts in the same season.
5) Other notes: Goodrow, on the line with Kakko and Chytil, and Jacob Trouba each had two assists.
Chytil had an assist in 13:17 of ice time after missing two games because of an upper-body injury. Getting him going will help lengthen the lineup. The third line hadn’t produced much lately, but having the two kids alongside either Goodrow or Laf should change that narrative.
Copp, who notched the empty-net goal to seal the win and shutout, extended his point streak to six with the tally. He has six points (three goals, three assists) during that stretch. We have spoken glowingly of Copp since he arrived in New York. He gets to face his former teammates from Winnipeg next Tuesday.
As a reminder, I am out of pocket starting tomorrow night for the weekend. In addition, next week, I am off the grid from Thursday through Saturday night. Am sure you all will carry the blog without me with no problems.