The Rangers’ ever-changing lineup has been tweaked as soon as once more, this time with Dryden Hunt getting the decision to fit into the right-wing spot on the second line subsequent to Artemi Panarin and Ryan Strome.
Hunt, who has skated on each line sooner or later this season, returns to the highest six for the primary time since a stretch of video games from late November into December. The 26-year-old winger has primarily been a third-line participant since then, however he has additionally logged important minutes on the second and fourth models.
“A bit extra stability,” Gallant mentioned of his lineup modifications. “That’s principally what we do. It'd change tomorrow morning if we sit within the coaches’ room too lengthy and take a look at our board. But it surely’s a piece in progress. With Kaapo [Kakko] being out somewhat bit right here [on injured reserve with an upper-body injury], you progress issues round, and I simply wished to make a change for [Thursday’s game against Washington].”
Panarin, Strome and Hunt have skated 157:49 collectively this season, in keeping with Pure Stat Trick, producing seven objectives and 31 high-danger possibilities. Because the Rangers’ offense has cooled off since getting back from the two-week recess, Gallant evidently wished to modify issues as much as see if it may present a spark.
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In transferring Hunt to the second line, Barclay Goodrow was then shifted to the left wing of the fourth line alongside Kevin Rooney and Ryan Reaves.
Goodrow, who has been the last word utility participant for the Rangers, was signed this offseason to primarily function a bottom-six skater. With Sammy Blais’ season-ending damage and now Kaapo Kakko’s prolonged stint on injured reserve, nonetheless, Goodrow has discovered himself in a top-six function greater than anticipated.
“I don’t assume something completely different,” Rooney mentioned of enjoying with Goodrow. “We’ve clearly had a stretch the place me and Reavo performed with Goodie and we felt actually good about our recreation. We felt like with [Greg McKegg] we had been enjoying effectively, too. I imply, it’d be good to see the puck go in additional for us. However this stuff we are able to’t actually management, we’re simply sort of controlling what we are able to management and that’s our work ethic each evening. Irrespective of who we’re enjoying with, me and Reavo are nonetheless going to play the identical manner.
“We’re wanting ahead to enjoying with Goodie. He’s a man that’s gained at principally each stage and gained the previous few years, and he’s an incredible instance for everybody on our workforce.”
With Goodrow on the fourth line, McKegg was bumped to the left wing of the third line subsequent to Filip Chytil and Julien Gauthier. The highest line of Chris Kreider, Mika Zibanejad and Alexis Lafreniere remained intact.
The Rangers assigned rookie defenseman Zac Jones again to AHL Hartford.
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