First Period:
- Kaapo Kakko (1) Unassisted
- Tyler Pitlick (1) Assists: Erik Gustafsson (1), Barclay Goodrow (1)
- Chris Kreider (1) Unassisted
- William Dufour (1) (Power Play) Assists: Arnaud Durandeau (1), Matthew Maggio (1)
Second Period:
- Blake Wheeler (1) Assists: Jake Leschyshyn (1)
Third Period:
Ad
- Arnaud Durandeau (1) Assists: Hudson Fasching (1), Jackson Cates (1)
3 Stars:
- 3: Tyler Pitlick
- 2: Blake Wheeler
- 1: Kaapo Kakko
Stats:
Adam Rotter:
- That was fun to watch and nice to a lot more of the regulars in the lineup.
- Kaapo Kakko scored early and had a solid game. It may still be too early to look at line combos and stuff, but it was interesting to see Kakkko with Vincent Trocheck. Those two were together over the weekend in practice and I wonder if that is a duo that Peter Laviolette is going to try and go with. It’d be easy to slot Artemi Panarin in on the left and make that the second line, but we’ll see how things go over the next four preseason games.
- One line that could definitely start the season is the Goodrow, Bonion and Pitlick line. It’s easy to see that being the fourth line/checking line. Jimmy Vesey could replace Pitlick or be used on the third line.
- Adam Fox is in midseason form.
- Brennan Othmann is going to generate a lot of talk after he had a strong game. I just don’t see him making the team to start the year. If they commit to Alexis Lafreniere on the right side in the top-six then there is the third-line LW spot that Othmann, or Will Cuylle, could fill, but I think the Rangers would prefer that he play top-line and in all situations in Hartford to start the year. I don’t think he, or Cuylle, would be banished to Hartford for the whole year, but I think the Rangers want to start with these veterans and there is no real need to rush Othmann or start him just because he’s a rookie. I’d like to be surprised and see Othmann or Cuylle open the season on that third line, I’m just not sure it’s going to happen.
- There are other prospects and other priorities, but I’d love to see the Rangers be patient and just get Matt Rempe working with skating and skill coaches nearly 24/7. He’s physical and you can’t teach 6-7. It took Brian Boyle, also 6-7, until he was 26 and refined his skating before he broke into a regular and reliable NHLer. Just because they are the same height doesn’t mean much, his linemate tonight Adam Edstrom is also 6-7, and Boyle was a former first-round pick compared to 6th round to Rempe, but he’s a guy that doesn’t seem afraid to use his size.
- Igor Shesterkin didn’t get a lot of work, Chris Kreider looked good and it was nice for Blake Wheeler to get on the board.
- The Devils are next on Thursday. Hopefully we’ll see Mika Zibanejad and Artemi Panarin.