The Rangers lost 5-2 to the Devils on Thursday on the front end of a home and home. After jumping out 1-0 on a Chris Kreider short handed tally, New York surrendered the next four goals to New Jersey. Alexis Lafreniere’s goal - also scored on the penalty kill- cut the deficit to two but Erik Haula notched an empty-better for the final margin. The two teams meet at the Prudential Center tonight.
Game recap:
Lineup:
A few quick thoughts:
1)
Preseason: keep this in mind when we start evaluating and criticizing. That said, the performance yesterday was very uneven. Other than one line - see below - the remainder of the roster was meh at best. Same can be said for the blue line, including one poster fighting for a spot in the active 20-man roster.
2)
Kid Line: this trio was the one positive in the contest. Lafreniere- Filip Chytil-Kakko Kaapo carried play while they were on the ice. The Rangers out-shot the Devils, 8-1, and out-chanced them, 6-1, while the Kid Line was on the ice, according to Natural Stat Trick. While they failed to register to a goal at even strength, the trio penned the Devils in their own zone and came close several times.
3)
Remaining nine forwards:As Vince Mercogliano noted in his game recap, the Blueshirts' other three lines combined to get out-shot, 3-16, and out-chanced, 6-13. That’s pretty ugly. Granted, it’s the preseason, but some players are fighting to remain in camp in general or for a roster spot, so far from what you hope to see. But again, lines are jumbled and the team was solid their first two exhibition games, so I will take this performance with the grain of salt warranted.
Brennan Othmann was less noticeable last night, though his presence certainly was evident. I think he likely plays again tonight, though I also wouldn’t be shocked if he is sent back to juniors. Personally, I think it would benefit him to go with and be a wise idea if he joins the squad on their team bonding trip as a way to further get integrated with the veterans.
In addition, on Othmann, I didn’t realize this was the case - and it’s on me for not knowing - but Larry Brooks write today that Othmann will turn 20 on Jan. 5, thus missing the cutoff for AHL eligibility by five days. Yes, as Brooks noted, the junior rule is antiquated, but that is augmented by the cutoff being missed by just five days. Brooks also added the below on the teaching and guidance Kreider is giving Othmann, another reason why the 2021 first round pick should remain around the team, at least for now.
“Chris was showing me how it’s better to lower my hands and get down low so I can get more leverage and be more accurate from low in the circle, putting it right over the pads, instead of taking the big backswing that I normally do,” Othmann said. “Taking it all the way back, there’s a better chance I’d miss the net.
“Anything I can soak in from Chris, I’m all in for that. I just want to learn as much as I can,” he said. “He’s one of the most respected players in the league, so anything I can do to follow in his footsteps and be the best pro I can be, I’m here for that.
“It’s more than about on the ice. It’s being a pro with preparation, learning about nutrition and getting the proper rest. I want to be a great pro. Having this opportunity to learn from him and the other veterans in this room is something I value. Anything I can soak in is going to help me in my career.”
Vincent Trocheck, who sat out practice with an illness, was not in the lineup. Unsure he goes tonight given the quick turnaround. On the flip side, Artemi Panarin, who has been dominant in practice and scrimmages, could make his preseason appearance tonight.
4)
Penalty kill coach Gerard Gallant has shown a willingness to use his skill forwards on the PK. Zib and Kreider should remain a duo. Barclay Goodrow, who could play tonight, will be part of one of the main short handed forwards utilized, likely next to Trocheck. What we saw last night was Laf and Kakko, who were not a pair previous utilized. Laf, who notched a beautiful SHG, had no PK time last year while Kakko saw a whopping 19:19 on the PK.
Ryan Carpenter and possibly Jimmy Vesey, if he makes the team, are expected to be a combination. But using Laf and Kakko affords each of them additional ice time that has been lacking in the past. Plus, using them this way enables the two to remain fully engaged and not get stale sitting on the bench.
5)
Sammy Blais saw his first action since tearing his ACL against the Devils last season. He fished out four hits in 13:31 of playing time. The results mattered little as this was Blais getting over the psychological hurdle of playing again while also scraping off the rust. His comments Tuesday about returning to action were somewhat similar.
"When I was working out for a year straight, I was not really thinking about anything on the ice," Blais said. "You've got to think when there's this guy coming fast at you. You've got to move the puck quick and you've got to make decisions. So, it's just all these things together − just trying to get back to where I was last year."
Blais will need more time to get his sea legs back, but if it doesn't happen soon, the Rangers may have to consider other options to play alongside Kreider and Zibanejad in the top-six. That decision is not looking right now. New York can afford to give Blais another week or so to see if he is a fit on that line before possibly making a change.
6)
Cuts.The only possibly mild surprise in the 19 players cut might have been Matthew Robertson. I thought he might get another game or two to see if he was a fit/best option opposite Braden Schneider. With Robertson sent down the battle comes down to Libor Hajek and Zac Jones. Hajek did not have a good game last night and I do think it’s Jones’ job to lose.
Beyond the 19, New York also waived forwards Turner Elson and C.J Smith reducing the roster to 42. Some work still needs to be and I would expect a few additional players to be culled today, largely from the group that played yesterday. Taking 30-35 players to the trip and forward seems like the right number.
As a reminder, I am out of pocket Tuesday late-afternoon to Wednesday evening. Then, the two subsequent weeks, I will be unavailable Sunday night to Tuesday night for the remainder of the Jewish holidays. This info will be posted at the bottom of almost every blog over the next few weeks so that everyone remains in the loop.
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