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Rangers beat Buffalo, thoughts on Kakko, Kreider and Fox

March 24, 2021, 8:42 AM ET [284 Comments]
Jan Levine
New York Rangers Blogger • RSSArchiveCONTACT
The Rangers defeated the Sabres 5-3 on Monday to move their record back over .500. Chris Kreider and Kaapo Kakko each scored twice while Adam Fox, in front of his mom and dad, scored a goal and added two assists in his 100th career game. Keith Kinkaid was solid in net, including a sliding, stack the pads, 1980's-90's style, to rob Jeff Skinner.

A few thoughts:
1) Other than a rough start to the second and third periods, a strong game from the Blueshirts. Defensively, they kept Buffalo mostly to the outside, limiting quality chances. But the start of the last two frames, especially the third, was rough, as New York bled opportunities.

2) Kris Knoblauch - major credit to him and the coaching staff recognizing that Kakko warranted a move up to the second line. He was rewarded when Kakko went to the dirty area and scored his first goal in 20 games. Give Artemi Panarin, who continues to rack up points, tallying three assists, a ton of credit for the goal, as he drew a pair of Buffalo d-men and found Kakko all alone in front for the goal. Kakko added an empty goal later in the game and should remain on the line with Ryan Strome and Panarin,

3) Fox - the comparisons to Brian Leetch continue to grow. To me, as you have heard me say and read me write, a big key for a d-man is a high panic level. He has that and more, as he is able to slow down the game and move at his own pace, which is rare for a blueliner or any skater in general. In addition, he has the subtle ability to avoid checks and get the puck out of his own zone, creating counter chances and opportunities.

4) Kreider - the last month or so, Kreider has been a presence in front of the net. More or almost as important, he has been a leader.on-and-off the ice. With 16 goals in 31 games, he has a very outside shot at matching or exceeding the 28 goals he has tallied twice before in his career.

5) Kinkaid and Alexandar Georgiev - both solid recently. Igor Shesterkin is back practicing with the team and could play Thursday. If not, I would expect Georgiev to get back in after sitting the last two contests for Kinkaid. But, I could see Kinkaid starting again after winning his last two contests. Shesterkin might be eased into action, starting Thursday, sitting Saturday and then playing Sunday.

6) Vitali Kravtsov - cleared COVID protocol and skated with the extras Tuesday. He will have his first full practice with the team today and has an outside shot at playing tomorrow. Kravtsov should skate on a line with Filip Chytil and Alexis Lafreniere on another kid or international line.

7) Playoffs - with the top-four of the division making the postseason, New York was going to have a hard battle to make the postseason. On the top-three, New York is eight points shy of a hot Pittsburgh team with a game in hand. The Rangers are closest to the Bruins, who lead the Blueshirts by four points but have three games in hand, so you can easily see the uphill battle New York will have.

As a reminder, due to the way Passover comes out this year, I am out of pocket starting about 6:30 pm Friday to Monday night. The following week, same from Friday about 6:30 to Sunday night. Appreciate you all carrying the blog.

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