First Period:
- Kaapo Kakko (1) Assists: Zac Jones (2)
- Jakub Zboril (1) Assists: Daniil Misyul (1), Nathan Legare (1)
Second Period:
- Adam Edstrom (3) Assists: Brennan Othmann (2), Bo Groulx (1)
- Kevin Labanc (2) Unassisted
- Victor Mancini (2) Assists: Bo Groulx (2), Zac Jones (3)
- Connor Mackey (1) Assists: Brennan Othmann (3), Brett Berard (2)
Third Period:
- Vincent Trocheck (1) (Power Play) Assists: Jonny Brodzinski (2), K’Andre Miller (1)
- Kevin Labanc (3) (Power Play) Assists: Dylan Wendt (1), Jakub Zboril (1)
Stats:
Adam Rotter:
- They wouldn’t have played Artemi Panarin if he wasn’t cleared to play but something clearly isn’t right. Best case scenario is that it’s just a little tweak, they are being extra cautious and that if it were the regular season he’d play. The Rangers need Panarin at 100%. If that means he has to miss Friday’s preseason finale and even a game or two to start the season then fine. He needs to be at 100% when he returns. 95% isn’t good enough, he has to be 100%.
- There is an interesting question of what the Rangers do in the event Panarin does have to miss any time. Would they flip Alexis Lafreniere back to the left and shift Kaapo Kakko up? Would they slot in Brennan Othmann on his natural left side or shift Will Cuylle up? If it is only a game or two then Othmann would make the most sense as it would allow the other lines to stay intact and Panarin could just swap in for Othmann when he’s ready. If it ends up being longer term then they could be creative and shift different players around. Jonny Brodzinski could also be an option if it’s only for a game or two.
- Another strong game from Kaapo Kakko, Zac Jones, Victor Mancini and Adam Edstrom. I think Edstrom has earned a spot on the fourth line while Jimmy Vesey is out.
- I expected Adam Fox to play tonight and for him to maybe split the game with Victor Mancini and Connor Mackey, but that didn’t happen. Fox didn’t play but Mancini and Mackey both scored tonight. I guess we’ll see on Friday who gets paired with Fox. My guess is that it’s Mackey, especially if they expect Lindgren to be back somewhat soon.