Frank Vatrano and Andrew Copp’s exits as free agents made it apparent that it would be difficult to fill the top six positions on the right flank.
Perhaps Alexis Lafreniere could successfully make the switch to the right side. Perhaps Kaapo Kakko could move forward. Perhaps Vitali Kravtsov will be able to secure a position following his summer workout commitment.
After thirty games of an irregular season, head coach Gerard Gallant is still experimenting with lineups. Still seeking the appropriate staff. Still seeking the optimal combos. Line combinations are as illegible as sand.
The coach is most comfortable with Barclay Goodrow manning a top-six right wing position, as evidenced by the latest — and essential — adjustments made during Monday’s thrilling 4-3 overtime victory over the Devils, in which the Rangers rallied from a 3-1 second-period deficit to triumph 4-3.
Leaning against Goodrow
Gerard Gallant’s lineup tinkering has the Rangers on a winning streak, but they still face an uphill battle to make the playoffs.
Corey Sipkin, New York Post
Goodrow, a third-liner with the two-time Cup champions in Tampa and a fourth-liner playing the middle in the most optimistic of line combinations in New York, provided defensive awareness, grit, and an exceptional touch to a line with Filip Chytil and Artemi Panarin for as long as the unit lasted.
Which was the case for two complete games and a portion of a period before the head coach made a change on Monday following the Devils’ two-goal advantage. Chytil was reunited with Lafreniere and Kakko after the remodeling, while Panarin moved up with Mika Zibanejad…with Goodrow on the right.
The Lafreniere-Zibanejad-Kakko line, which had remained intact for more than two games, was dominated in the first period by New Jersey’s Tomas Tatar-Nico Hischier-Jesper Bratt unit. During the 3:36 that the Blueshirts line was on the ice, Natural Stat Trick indicates that the Devils had a 5-0 advantage in attempts, a 3-0 advantage in shots, a 5-0 advantage in scoring opportunities, and a 1-0 advantage on the scoreboard.
Following the line adjustments, it took some time for things to settle, with Goodrow assuming a top-six role. Goodrow played up 24 times last season, but in only 16 of the final 64 games. Obviously, Dryden Hunt was a top-six contributor in 27 games.
After guiding the Rangers to a come-from-behind victory over the Devils, Barclay Goodrow was pushed into the top six, where he may remain.
There is not even close to the dysfunction of the Rangers teams that failed to make the playoffs from 1998 to 2004 while bribing everyone to wear the uniform. Because he was paid so much to sign as a free agent, however, utilizing Goodrow in a top-six role is reminiscent of when the club utilized checking-line center great Bobby Holik as a first-line pivot.
who has been a healthy scratch for the past three games and, according to the record, has appeared in all ten games this season but only four of 16 since November 10.
There is no way to determine who or what Kravtsov is. He never plays any games. It is as though his career has ended, despite the fact that it never truly began.
Actually, do you know how Kravtsov appears? No. 74 appears to be a rental player acquired as part of a trade deadline package.
Possibly the Devils, Penguins, and Hurricanes will reappear at some point during the winter, but these clubs appear to have separated themselves for the three Metro Division playoff berths, playing.655 or better hockey.
This season, Vitali Kravtsov has failed to see the ice, making him a good candidate for a trade.
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With a four-game winning streak and a record of 15-10-5 (.583), the Rangers are currently in contention for a wild-card place. They are competing with the Islanders, Red Wings, Canadiens, Capitals, and Panthers for two playoff spots. There is little room to breathe.
This significantly explains why Gallant does not explore with Kravtsov. The 22-year-old has one goal and one assist in 10 games while on the field, for a total of six goals for and none against. The second power-play unit is more of a myth than a fact, but Kravtsov has received 3:45 of ice time with the advantage. Even Zac Jones received almost 10 minutes more.
It appears Goodrow has no plans to move any time soon. There is no point in substituting Kravtsov for Julien Gauthier, whose performance has just plateaued, on the fourth line. The Rangers may move Jimmy Vesey to the fourth line in favor of Gauthier and play Kravtsov on the right wing with Chris Kreider and Vincent Trocheck.
Vesey has performed admirably in every role he has been given. This includes 12 games with Kreider and Zibanejad on the top unit. However, if the Rangers wish to evaluate Kravtsov, this would be the best way to do so.
Even though they have shown indications of overcoming their bad start to the season, the Rangers are in a tight race with five other clubs for two wild-card positions.
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There is little indication, much less urgency, to insert Kravtsov into the lineup. Therefore, the ninth overall pick of the 2018 entry draft remains unknown. Can he perform? Can he generate? Can he compete in the NHL? Who can say?
The Rangers probably won’t realize what they have until he’s gone.
Hidden in plain view
In the first 4:46 of play on Monday, Jacob Trouba committed two more inexcusable end-zone miscues and giveaways that immediately led to two pucks finding the back of the net.
Trouba skated alongside Libor Hajek for the majority of the encounter, while K’Andre Miller partnered with Braden Schneider (the Miller-Trouba pair was restored over the final 7:00 of the third period when the team cut down to five D and sat Hajek).
Trouba has been a mere shadow of his 2021-22 self when viewed from a distance. His 42.55 percent GF percentage is the lowest on the team, with 20 goals for and 27 against. Perhaps it’s an injury. Perhaps it’s the burden of the captaincy. The Rangers need Trouba to be as dependable and intimidating as he was last season, when he and Miller were elevated to the club’s top matchup duo.
Due to his difficulties this season, Jacob Trouba was demoted to the third defensive pairing during Monday’s comeback victory.
Now, despite a 50.65 xGF, the Miller-Trouba tandem ranks 23rd among the 24 defense tandems (300:00-plus) with a 35.29 GF, only ahead of the Ben Chiarot-Moritz Seider tandem of Detroit (34.21).
At least, Miller’s performance has improved in the previous week or two. The game seemed to be approaching him. The No. 79 player is playing on instinct and is not attempting to force an offensive play. But Trouba’s problems have frequently undermined his progress.
The identification of the top six competitors was intended to be difficult. Not the top four on the back end. Until Trouba can stabilize his game, this will be a significant concern.
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