New York Rangers: Takeaways from the World Championships day one

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United States’ defender Adam Fox and Slovakia’s defender Christian Jaros vie for the puck during the IIHF Men’s Ice Hockey World Championships Group A match between US and Slovakia on May 10, 2019 in Kosice. (Photo by JOE KLAMAR / AFP) (Photo credit should read JOE KLAMAR/AFP/Getty Images) /

Takeaway #4: Other Rangers in action

USA vs. Slovakia

While three current Rangers are on the team, everyone is watching #6, Jack Hughes. Hughes, 17, is playing on a line with Patrick Kane and James van Riemsdyk. He played a lot of minutes and showed off his skating and shooting abilities.

Chris Kreider is playing on a line with Clayton Keller and Jack Eichel. Adam Fox didn’t look out of place as a collegiate player on the ice with NHLers. Brady Skjei is playing heavy minutes as one of the team’s top defensemen.

Team USA suffered a very disappointing 4-1 loss to Slovakia. All three Rangers played extensively, but overall the team looked disjointed. It’s what you would expect from a team that hasn’t played together in their first preliminary round game . Don’t overlook the fact that the Slovakian team has been playing together for much longer and they were in front of a hometown crowd.

Sweden vs. Czech Republic

Henrik Lundqvist was in net for Team Sweden’s 5-2 loss to the Czech Republic. While the score looks bad, it was inflated by two empty net goals. Lundqvist allowed an early goal and took a 2-2 tie into the third period when Michael Frolik of the Czech Republic scored in the first minute. Filip Chytil didn’t figure in the scoring for Team Czech finishing with one shot on goal and two minutes in penalties. The game was not televised nor was it live streamed so it’s difficult to know how well Lundqvist played.

A save by Lundqvist did make it onto Twitter as the second of the top three saves of the day:

How did @HLundqvist30 find that loose puck? And more on our Top 3 Saves of Day 1 at #IIHFWorlds pic.twitter.com/HFRqNP2A34
— IIHF (@IIHFHockey) May 10, 2019

Russia vs. Norway

Andrei Vasilevski got the start for Russia in their 5-2 win over Norway. There has been no word if Alexandar Georgiev will see any action. It will depend on Russia’s record in the preliminary round and how well Vasilevski plays.

light. Must Read. Roster issues coming soon

Upcoming games

There will be two games on Saturday of interest to Rangers fans. In a game that won’t be televised, Chytil and the Czech Republic will take on Norway.

If you want to see Kaapo Kakko in action, Finland will take on Slovakia on Saturday in a game to be televised on the NHL Network at 2:15pm EST.

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