The Rangers off their 3-2 overtime win Tuesday against the Canucks face the Hurricanes tonight. New York would seem to have three winnable games, including tonight, prior to the All-Star break. The Rangers have failed to win two in a row since November 21-23, so forgive me if I am reluctant to talk about future wins before they post a victory tonight.
Chris Kreider skated Friday morning and said that his neck is still "stiff and sore" from a collision he had with Radim Vrbata on Tuesday against Vancouver. That injury could keep him out of the lineup tonight as he is a true, game-time decision. In his place, Daniel Paille signed to bolster the penalty kill will dress in his place.
For all the questions about why the Rangers signed Paille, today's NY Post spelled it out. "The Blueshirts penalty kill has fallen to 25th in the league (78.9 percent), and it’s last in the league on the road (71.0). It’s only gotten worse since they waived forward Jarrett Stoll on Dec. 13, opponents going 15-for-47 (31.9 percent) on the man-advantage in the 15 games since." Now I am loathe to just put all the poor play on Stoll's absence but it's clear that the PK has struggled. Paille will likely be on the second or their pairing to try and fix a major shortfall in NY.
This signing is a bit like the Stoll one was, trying to fit a player into a specific role. I don't believe he was the reason the PK was better, but the numbers show that he had an impact positively on it. To make room for Paille, Jayson Megna, who had played well initially but had plateaued, was sent down. Paille will be motivated to stay, as he signed a two-way deal for $575k if he remains in NY and just $100k if he is in Hartford. His salary is less than what Stoll made and Megna makes plus it can easily be sent down to Hartford without any cap impact. It's a minor move that could be an incremental gain or hopefully at worse net flat.
If Kreider is unable to go, Derick Brassard, who didn't play Tuesday, will likely be back between Rick Nash and Mats Zuccarello. Kevin Hayes could move up to the second line while the All-Swede lines remains together and Daniel Paille slides into the fourth line. On the off chance, Kreider can go, the top two lines remain intact, Hayes slides to the third line, Fast to the fourth and Paille is scratched.
Rick Nash-Derick Brassard-Mats Zuccarello J.T. Miller-Derek Stepan-Kevin Hayes Viktor Stalberg-Oscar Lindberg-Jesper Fast Tanner Glass-Dominic Moore-Daniel Paille
On the blue line, it looks like Dylan McIlrath will be a healthy scratch for the ninth time in 11 games. Dan Boyle clearly needs a day off and should get one with back-to-backs Sunday and Monday. But I would have sat him tonight and one of thanks two games to play McIlrath. A bit surprised the top-duo is back together again, as I would have used Kevin Klein with McD and Girardi with Keith Yandle.
Ryan McDonagh-Dan Girardi Marc Staal-Dan Boyle Keith Yandle-Kevin Klein (Dylan McIlrath)
Henrik Lundqvist, who looks to be back on the beam, will be between the pipes again. It's possible he sits one of the back-to-backs next week for Antti Raanta. Though it's feasible he starts all three games.
Dare I say, heave ho, two in a row?
(Thanks for carrying the blog. We laid my grandmother to rest today, may her soul ascend to heaven)
Stay safe given the impending storm.