The Rangers, in the midst of a 1-4-1 stretch, pulled out a 5-4 shootout win over the Panthers on Saturday with their fathers in attendance. New York, fresh after five days off, jumped to a 2-0 lead, but allowed Florida two goals in 4:15 in the second period to tie it. The Blueshirts went up 3-2 and 4-3 but allowed the Cats to tie the game both times before winning again in the skills competition. New York faces Tampa Bay on Monday.
A few thoughts:
Game recap:
David Quinn post-game:
1)
Lines:
Kreider-Zibanejad-Hayes
Vesey-Strome-Chytil
Namestnikov-Howden-Fast
Beleskey-Andersson-Fogarty
Mats Zuccarello was determined not to be ready yet to play while Vladislav Namestnikov returned from his concession. With Nam in the lineup, Cole Schneider, who was promoted Saturday just in case, remained in the press box. What’s most noticeable go the movement of Kevin Hayes to right wing on the top line with Ryan Strome sliding into the second line pivot role. Pavel Buchnevich may be back from his broken thumb by the weekend. At that point, I would expect Steven Fogarty to be sent down after he is likely a healthy scratch Monday.
The more complicated question will be what to do with Matt Beleskey, who scored again yesterday. Beleskey does bring a physical component lacking in the lineup, as a way more talented Cody McLeod, though McLeod has played well this season. Until Buch is ready, Beleskey will remain the lineup. When Zucc and Buch are ready, Quinn will have some tough choices, like he did earlier in the season. Whoever isn't playing well will ride the pine - though someone playing well may also end up having to sit - and that may be regardless of their standing on the roster.
Staal-Pionk
Skjei-DeAngelo
Claesson-Shattenkirk
Brendan Smith’s upper body injury paved the way for Brady Skjei to step back into the lineup. Adam McQuaid remains sidelined thought may be back shortly. At that point, two healthy bodies would need to go to the press box, unless New York tries to option one down, with Smith the likely winner of that lottery, though he would have to pass through waivers to go down. Claesson needs to stay in the lineup, and despite his mistakes in games, so does ADA. Staal and Pionk are locks and Shattenkirk has been better - not great - paired with Cleasson, leaving few options.
2)
Hayes - Rick Carpinello in his column in the The Athletic nicely spelled out what keeping Hayes at right wing might be. Included within is the impact this season but more important down the road. The latter of which is way more important with Hayes as a UFA, but one who wants to reportedly wants to stay in New York. My view here is well known.
If Zibanejad and Kreider are going to be the matchup line for Quinn to play against the opponents’ top lines night in and night out, well, Hayes was in a matchup role last season, and handled it well on a team that didn’t/couldn’t defend otherwise. He improved his 200-foot game markedly, and continued to do so this season. As such, he’s a much more legit option on that line, in that situation, than say, Jesper Fast — whose defensive game is unquestioned, but whose offensive weakness makes him an imperfect fit for a legit top line expected to score. He’s obviously a better fit in the matchup game than Filip Chytil, who continues to learn, while he continues at times to look like a 19-year-old finding his way.
And if it works, if Hayes can make that line work as a top-scoring/shutdown trio, would he not be worth $6 million plus that it will take to keep him on a new contract?
3)
Lundqvist - not a great game, as the first two goals were ones he likely should have stopped, but did he turn it on late. He was brilliant in the overtime, as seen in the clip below, and stopped one of two shots in the shootout to secure the win. Given how well Lundqvist has played this year, he is entitled to a bobble here and there. Lundqvist was using new pads last night...they may need more practice time before they are ready for game action.
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