The Rangers - 1-4-1 in their last six games and off consecutive losses to last place teams - return to action tonight at MSG against the Blues. Pavel Buchnevich (yes, it had to be mentioned since many are thinking this) faces off his former teammates. The schedule gets no easier after the contest against St. Louis, as New York will next face Vegas, Colorado, New Jersey and Toronto.
Morning skate rushes:
Kreider - Zib - Vesey
Panarin - Trocheck - Kravtsov
Laf - Goodrow - Kakko
Blais - Brodzinski - Gauthier
With the team spiraling and the offense in need of a jump, nothing inspires the fan base than to see the top-nine remain the same. With Filip Chytil missing his second straight contest after taking a glancing blow off his ankle from an Artemi Panarin shot in overtime against Ottawa, Vincent Trocheck centers the second line again. But it’s not so much Trocheck has been restored to where he was previously, but that no changes were made.
Coach Gerard Gallant said this am that they have different stats and information that show the attack has been better than what might be reported. I sure hope so because what we have seen to date sure as heck doesn’t reflect that opinion. Yes, they have had chances, but not many or enough have been high-danger and the top-nine is in needed of some reshuffling.
The only change is that Ryan Carpenter is sitting for Jonny Brodzinski, who hopefully will bring some speed and energy to the lineup. I also know part of the narrative is that the Rangers recent skid and Minnesota’s got streak have coincided with the Ryan Reaves deal. If you think the energy he brought to the pre-game and locker room was the difference maker, be my guest, but that’s not my opinion.
Doubling down with the lack of changes, in the pre-game skate this morning, the
power play looks the same. They’re 2 for their last 25 (although one of those goals was Saturday by Zib). At least Kravtsov is on the second unit, but unless they see more time, it won’t matter.
PP1- Fox, Zib, Trocheck, Panarin and Kreider
PP2- Trouba, Laf, Kravtsov, Kakko and Blais
We have discussed the
definition of insanity. I can appreciated the willingness to stick to your guns and belief you are correct. But Gallant better be right because if it continues to go off the rails and he refuses to make changes or team refuses or is unwilling or unable to adjust, he will be the one on the outside looking in. This is evident by the recent report by Emily Kaplan.
Emily Kaplan of ESPN made it known on or just after Thanksgiving weekend of Dolan monitoring last month the entire Rangers situation, and being in person at MSG games in believing he was focusing his concern mainly on Gallant. She added that Dolan was however away during the Thanksgiving Holiday weekend, & not present for the disastrous loss to the Oilers.
Elliotte Friedman doubled down on this in his 32 thoughts podcast:
Friedman noted he hasn't heard anything re: Barry Trotz. “He added he thinks Drury is *trying* to be patient but openly worries about "the owner there (Dolan). I think Drury has a plan. I think he knows what he wants to do, but you have an owner there who, when he makes up his mind to do something, he's a tough guy to stop.” We saw with JD and Gorton that when Dolan wants a change, he will make it even if not necessary or not the appropriate time. Having him and/or Glen Sather meddling with the team is the worst possible scenario.
Congrats to
Noah Laba who was named to the 2023 US preliminary world junior roster.!
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