New York Rangers: Appreciating the best of the best from RangersTown

Daniel Carrozzi- Pavel Buchnevich

The Russian sophomore winger has displayed the skill that we saw tantalizing glimpses of his rookie season. However, his confidence is on a new level since then.

This has led him to post eight goals and eight assists through 21 games. I am thankful he has been healthy this year, facilitating his permanent inclusion in the lineup.

He, along with his linemates Mika Zibanejad and Chris Kreider, are a force at even strength and especially on the powerplay. Buchnevich has amassed half of his goals and points with the man advantage this season.

Buchnevich has been an impact player for the Rangers. 13 of his points are primary, good for third on the team. He is tied with Kevin Hayes for the team lead in 5-on-5 primary points with seven.

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For all of his offensive output, I am also thankful for his backchecking ability, which is underrated and tends to go unnoticed. I am thankful for his vision, hands, passing ability, wrist shot and slap shot. He has been deployed all up and down the lineup, and I am thankful that he hasn’t let this bring his game down.

I am thankful for his bromance with Zibanejad and Kreider and their chemistry on the ice. I am just as grateful for him as he is his teammates. You can just tell how much he cares about them when he acknowledges them after scoring a goal.

He brings an offensive dimension to the Rangers that they haven’t possessed in recent years. Buchnevich, Kreider, and Zibanejad give the Rangers a lethal top scoring line that opponents have to respect.  I am thankful that I’m able to enjoy watching him go to work for the Rangers every game.