The Rangers lost on Thursday to the Islanders 2-1.
First Period:
Second Period:
- Carson Soucy (4) Assists: Maxim Shabanov (12), Scott Mayfield (7)
- Matthew Schaefer (14) Assists: Bo Horvat (14)
Third Period:
- Mika Zibanejad (23) (Power Play) Assists: Vladislav Gavrikov (11), J.T. Miller (21)
Adam Rotter:
- It would have been nice to beat the Islanders last night or tonight and not get swept this season, the Rangers did sweep the Islanders last season, but these games are a distant second when it comes to what everyone is focused on now with this team and the trade deadline.
- We knew it would be ugly when Artemi Panarin wasn’t on the ice because it was often ugly when he was. It is only two games and he is still technically on the team, but this is the opportunity for a number of players to try and take steps forward. Gabe Perreault is getting better every game and that is encouraging but no Artemi Panarin is really the chance for Alexis Lafreniere, if he still can, to go up a level or two. It may not matter since he’s been on the right side now for three seasons, but I don’t see why they wouldn’t move Alexis Lafreniere back to the left side and just see what happens. I don’t think it will magically change things, if it changes anything at all, but he needs a spark and maybe moving back to the left side would be it.
- There is also no need to have Vlad Gavrikov on the top PP unit until Adam Fox comes back. Scott Morrow’s big thing as a player is his offense and ability to run a PP and while he does get some time on the second PP, I don’t see why he isn’t getting top PP minutes. There is more risk because Morrow is still unproven but also more potential reward, based on his skill set, than keeping Gavrikov there.
- Two more before the Olympic break, Saturday against the Pens and then next Thursday against Carolina. It will be interesting to see if the Rangers rest anyone else over these next two before the break.