LOS ANGELES — It is going to be Kris Knoblauch 2.0 behind the bench right here on Monday when the Rangers meet the Kings the day after head coach Gerard Gallant entered COVID protocol whereas Artemi Panarin exited it.
Gallant, 58, ran Sunday’s follow on the Kings’ facility in El Segundo earlier than conducting his press briefing. Panarin, who had missed the final 4 video games after going into protocol on Jan. 2, was a full participant after flying out to rejoin the group on Saturday.
“The primary couple of days weren't my greatest [with symptoms] however right now was tremendous,” stated Panarin, who had been capable of skate on his personal in New York whereas the group has been on the highway. “For certain I’m able to play.”
Gallant is the fourth member of the touring celebration to check constructive because the membership chartered to Las Vegas on Tuesday, becoming a member of Igor Shesterkin, Julien Gauthier and Ryan Reaves on the restricted listing. Assistant coach Mike Kelly can be below protocol after having examined constructive final Sunday.
There's a necessary five-day interval of isolation following a constructive take a look at. Because of this Gallant will be unable to return for Thursday’s sport in San Jose. The Blueshirts’ subsequent one after that's scheduled for Jan. 15 in Philadelphia … which is the place Knoblauch’s six-game tenure ended with a 4-2 document whereas subbing for the then-COVID-afflicted head coach David Quinn.
Knoblauch obtained popularity of his low-key dealing with of the New York bench although the 43-year-old now in his second season as head coach of the AHL Wolf Pack stated that he merely was a turn-key operator of Quinn’s lineups and techniques.
Mika Zibanejad, who has scored seven targets in his final eight video games, amassed 16 factors (8-8) in six video games taking part in below Knoblauch, whereas recording two hat methods and two six-point performances inside 9 days in opposition to the Flyers.
The Wolf Pack are 15-9-2 after having overwhelmed 19-3-3 Utica 2-1 on the highway Saturday with a makeshift lineup lacking eight gamers summoned by the Rangers who embrace Morgan Barron, Zac Jones, Tarmo Reunanen, Tim Gettinger, Jonny Brodzinski, Lauri Pajuniemi, Anthony Greco and goaltender Keith Kinkaid.
Gallant cautioned to not leap to conclusions relating to Monday’s alignment, however Panarin skated with Ryan Strome and Barclay Goodrow whereas Alexis Lafreniere joined a 3rd line consisting of Kevin Rooney within the center and Filip Chytil on the appropriate. The Pack Line with Barron centering Gettinger and Brodzinski remained intact whereas Greg McKegg skated as a spare.
Patrik Nemeth, who has missed the final 4 video games whereas coping with a private matter, skated on Jarred Tinordi’s proper aspect. That can seemingly symbolize the third pair in opposition to the Kings. Nils Lundkvist was paired with Libor Hajek at follow.
“He’s an enormous presence on the blue line,” Gallant stated of Nemeth. “He’s performed rather well, he kills penalties, he’s a shutdown sort of man. We’re excited to get him again. If he’s able to go, we’ll see however it’s good to see him again with our group once more.”
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