Nearly two weeks in the past, when the Rangers had been nonetheless within the thick of a tough patch, their upcoming schedule appeared much more daunting.
Staring them within the face was a two-game street journey in opposition to the Western Convention’s prime workforce, the Golden Knights, and the defending Stanley Cup champion Avalanche. Then they'd return dwelling to face two of the highest three groups within the Jap Convention within the Devils and Maple Leafs.
Three video games into the grueling stretch, it accounts for the majority of the Rangers’ longest profitable streak of the season.
Winners of 4 straight, the Rangers will tackle one other problem Thursday night time once they host the Maple Leafs, who arrive on the Backyard not having misplaced in regulation since Nov. 11 (going 12-0-3 since).
“Actual good hockey groups, hopefully they catch the most effective of your workforce,” coach Gerard Gallant mentioned Wednesday after observe. “Generally you take a look at the schedule earlier than the season begins and also you say, ‘That is going to be a tricky stretch.’ However you don’t know within the new NHL. Any workforce can beat you. You may beat any workforce for those who play properly. In order that’s what I’m discovering out.”
The Rangers know they nonetheless haven’t been taking part in their finest hockey for 60 minutes each night time, however they've began to search out methods to win video games as an alternative of discovering methods to lose.
“I’m pleased about profitable video games, however I want we had been taking part in somewhat higher,” Gallant mentioned.
The Rangers’ traces at Wednesday’s observe had been the identical traces they completed Monday’s sport with, which means a prime line of Artemi Panarin-Mika Zibanejad-Vincent Trocheck and a second line of Alexis Lafreniere-Filip Chytil-Kaapo Kakko.
Panarin and Zibanejad have performed collectively at five-on-five for simply 67:39 this season, in keeping with Pure Stat Trick, throughout which the Rangers have scored two targets and allowed 4. Requested whether or not he was curious what the proficient pairing would possibly appear to be on the identical line for an prolonged interval, Gallant chuckled and requested, “What’s an prolonged interval with me?”
“We’ll see the place it goes,” Gallant added. “I wouldn’t put them collectively if I didn’t suppose they had been an excellent match.”
Vitali Kravtsov, who was skating as an additional on Wednesday, has been a wholesome scratch for the final three video games after taking part in 4 straight video games from Nov. 30-Dec. 5. Requested whether or not there was an opportunity Kravtsov may get some motion at AHL Hartford, Gallant replied, “You’re asking the improper man.”
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