First Period:

• Kaapo Kakko (2) Assists: Chris Kreider (2), Adam Fox (1)

Second Period:

• Charlie Coyle (1) (Power Play) Assists: David Pastrnak (2), Pavel Zacha (3)

Third Period:

• Matthew Poitras (3) Assists: Trent Frederic (2), Morgan Geekie (1)
• A.J. Greer (1) (Empty Net) Assists: Morgan Geekie (2)

The lines the Rangers used to start the game were:

• Chris Kreider, Mika Zibanejad, Kaapo Kakko
• Artemi Panarin, Barclay Goodrow, Alexis Lafreniere
• Will Cuylle, Vincent Trocheck, Blake Wheeler
• Jimmy Vesey, Nick Bonino, Brennan Othmann
  • Ryan Lindgren, Adam Fox
  • K’Andre Miller, Jacob Trouba
  • Erik Gustafsson, Zac Jones

Stats:

Adam Rotter:

• I thought that the Rangers were better in this game than they were in their last couple, but with nearly their full Opening Night lineup they still have ways to go.
• I thought that most everyone who had been struggling was better tonight. I thought Mika Zibanejad looked the best he had, same with Artemi Panarin and while they are better than they’ve been, they still have many more levels to get to.
• Kaapo Kakko had a really strong game. He scored, looked pretty good next to Zibanejad and Kreider, and continues to look like someone who should have a top-six spot locked down. I’d keep him on that line for at least the first stretch of games and see how it shakes out. He does need to stop passing up quality shot opportunities.
• Alexis Lafreniere had some good moments, some not-so-great moments and heads into the regular season with just as many questions, or maybe more, than he came to camp with. I’d keep him with Panarin to start the season. He may not have earned a top-six spot in training camp, but he needs to be there and hopefully reward them.
• With Barclay Goodrow centering Panarin and Lafreniere it would seem like that spot is being held for Filip Chytil. We never got to see them as a trio, but if Chytil is able to start practicing he’ll have nearly a week of work to try and find some chemistry.
• With another game on the third line and with Brennan Othmann on the fourth line again, it would seem like Will Cuylle is going to start the season with the Rangers. He was strong tonight and he’s also been getting some time on the second PP unit. He won’t have that role in the regular season, but he’s most definitely earned a chance to start the season with the Rangers.
• The Rangers haven’t spent a ton of time working on the PP during training camp, but they certainly got a lot of chances tonight. They didn’t score, but these are hopefully good reps for the regular season.
• Igor Shesterkin didn’t get a ton of work, but he had some nice saves.
• I’m guessing that we will see the final cuts come down tomorrow and that the Opening Night group will get to work over the weekend.
• Next up is Buffalo next Thursday as the regular season begins.