The Rangers have gained six of their final 9 video games for the reason that vacation recess, all whereas battling a pesky COVID-19 outbreak that first sidelined their beginning goaltender earlier than the group seemingly misplaced a participant a day throughout their current five-game street journey.
It gave head coach Gerard Gallant an excuse to toy along with his lineup, particularly within the backside six, the place gamers from the taxi squad primarily crammed in. With these changes got here encouraging performances from sure skaters, who've now given Gallant one thing to consider for when gamers can be found once more.
Forwards Alexis Lafreniere and Barclay Goodrow ought to each be eligible to return to the Rangers lineup for his or her matchup with the Maple Leafs on Wednesday at Madison Sq. Backyard. Whereas in COVID-19 protocol, Goodrow missed the final three video games and Lafreniere was out the final two.
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Gallant mentioned each Lafreniere and Goodrow have been skating on their very own, although they have been nonetheless not cleared to hitch the group for observe on Monday.
Moreover, Dryden Hunt might be activated off injured reserve to play in his first recreation for the reason that Rangers’ 5-1 loss to the Golden Knights earlier this month. He has missed the final 4 contests with an undisclosed upper-body harm.
“He’s positively an choice,” Gallant mentioned of Hunt, who had bounced between the center two strains earlier than his harm. “He had a very good observe [Monday]. So long as he [feels okay] after which we’ll discover out [Tuesday] once more with one other observe. However he’s positively an choice.”
Hunt skated on the fourth unit subsequent to Morgan Barron and Julien Gauthier throughout observe at MSG Coaching Heart on Monday, edging out Tim Gettinger. In any other case, Gallant saved the identical strains he deployed within the Rangers’ 3-2 victory over the Flyers on Saturday – except for Jonny Brodzinski skating as a placeholder for Ryan Strome, who had a upkeep day.
That meant Filip Chytil remained on the second line. Of all of the changes Gallant needed to make, bumping Chytil to the wing subsequent to Strome and Artemi Panarin was probably the most eye-opening transfer. Not solely has Chytil been in a position to produce in that spot, however he’s performed effectively sufficient generally to warrant an prolonged look on the wing.
“Actually, it’s day after day,” Gallant mentioned of his lineup selections. “I’m completely satisfied for Fil, he’s performed fairly good up there and achieved a very good job. However once more, it’s about our group and what fits our group finest with sure video games. Proper now, I’m pleased with the best way he’s performed there and if these guys come again, then we’ll take a look at our lineup and modify it accordingly.
“However good for him up to now, he’s performed effectively. I feel he’s received a four-game level streak and the purpose in final recreation, massive purpose for us, too. However we’ll see.”
Earlier than he examined optimistic for COVID-19, Lafreniere received one other shot within the prime six when he lined up on the second unit within the Rangers’ 3-1 loss to the Kings. Gallant opted to strive Lafreniere on his off-side on the proper wing once more, which was the unique plan popping out of coaching camp, when No. 13 began on the highest line.
Except for one stellar cross-ice feed to Strome within the Los Angeles recreation, Lafreniere didn’t add a lot to the Bread-and-Butter line. Chytil has proven a capability to maintain up with the tempo that Strome and Panarin prefer to play at, whereas additionally placing extra photographs on web than common from the wing.
It’s protected to imagine Barron will probably be one of many gamers reassigned to the taxi squad to make room for Lafreniere, Goodrow and Hunt. Gallant likes Goodrow within the prime six and will want to see extra of Lafreniere on the second line. If Chytil sticks, nevertheless, Goodrow might heart the third line subsequent to Lafreniere.
“There’s guys that performed effectively in that spot, [whether it’s] Goodrow or Laffy,” Gallant mentioned. “In the event that they’re going to go up there, Fil goes to readjust to heart or possibly to wing once more. I haven’t even considered that to be trustworthy with you.”
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