Following quite the collapse in Newark Tuesday Night, the Rangers are back at it on home ice to host the team they will likely face in the first round of the playoffs, the Pittsburgh Penguins. Tonight, the Rangers will take on the Penguins for the second time this season after losing to them last month in a 1-0 nail biter. A game that couldn't be any more different than the Rangers first outing with their new trade deadline additions in their most recent 7-4 loss to the Devils. With a day off and a day of line shuffling, it should be quite a matchup in what will undoubtedly be a big test for the Blueshirts.
The team had Wednesday off, likely to not only rest the team but to help them forget about the abysmal second and third periods that followed a relatively good first. Andrew Copp wasted no time getting on the stat sheet, exemplifying the versatility that he brings to this Rangers team. While Tyler Motte played strong and Justin Braun at least started well, much of that went out the window when the game started to get away from the Rangers. Getting back to work on Thursday, Head Coach Gerard Gallant opted to make some line changes, whether or not they stick for game time will be what they call in the 'biz "a game time decision".
While it's very easy for Rangers fans to panic when they see Lafreniere getting moved to the third line or other guys getting moved around, you have to try and see the whole picture. Barring a detrimental fifteen game collapse, the Rangers are pretty much locked in to the playoff picture, probably in second or third, meaning they'll take on Pittsburgh in the first round. With little room for change in the standings, why not give some guys breaks or nights off? Why not experiment with the lines. I know just as well as anyone that Lafreniere has done very well since becoming a mainstay on that top line with Mika and Kreider. Is a demotion warranted? No, but perhaps this isn't necessarily a demotion.
Once upon a time this season, Lafreniere was on that third line with Filip Chytil and found success in that spot. Granted Sammy Blais isn't an option on that right side right now but the Rangers are deep enough now where chances are they are going to have a competent option on the right side who can get the puck to Chytil and Lafreniere, like Blais once did. Not to mention, Lafreniere is a natural left winger playing on his off side on that top line. It's reasonable to want to put him in positions where he feels more comfortable. The moral of this story is now is the time to explore your options and while it may ruffle feathers, Lafreniere at his natural position on the third line IS an option.
Lines during Tuesday's practice were as follows:
Kreider - Zibanejad - Vatrano
Panarin - Strome - Copp
Lafreniere - Chytil - Goodrow
Motte - Brodzinski - Hunt
Lindgren - Fox
Miller - Trouba
Nemeth - Braun (with Schneider rotating in)
Let's say these are the lines that do indeed stick for Friday, totally fine. Copp on that right side of Strome and Panarin was something you pretty much could expect to happen at one point or another. Fans should be excited to see what he could bring to that line, perhaps his style of play can get Panarin's offense to pick up a little more than it has this season. While many people are upset with the switch, I'm interested to see what Lafreniere can do with a healthy Chytil who has been finding his game again, with Goodrow on the right side. Johnny Brodzinski has earned his keep with the big boys and should absolutely stay fresh in this final stretch leading up to playoffs.
As for the Penguins, they're 6-2-2 in their last ten, most recently coming off a shootout loss to the Buffalo Sabres in the second half of a back to back on Wednesday. The Rangers could have the upper hand as they're catching Pittsburgh in a stretch of a lot of games with travel mixed into the equation. Similarly to the Rangers, Pittsburgh had an eventful trade deadline as they picked up Rickard Rakell from the Anaheim Ducks. A player the Rangers reportedly had significant interest in, making this potential playoff series all the more intense.
Both the Penguins and the Rangers tend to not let a lot of goals in, ranking third and fourth in goals against per game respectively. Tonight's matchup could have the potential to be a low scoring close outing like the last time these two faced off against each other, or perhaps we're gearing up for a more explosive offensive outing from both sides. Regardless, this is certainly one of the more significant games on the Rangers schedule in this final stretch. Expect Shesterkin to have a bounce back outing and look for the team to play with a Devil sized chip on their shoulder.
Chris Feldman
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