Kravtsov scores in his first game back from injury

One of the New York Rangers’ top prospects, Vitali Kravtsov, picked up where he left off after an injury

All eyes are on Vitali Kravtsov, the New York Rangers’ first round pick in the 2018 NHL Entry Draft.   He got off to a a great start with Traktor in the KHL, but was sidelined by an injury.  After missing seven games, he returned to action and sure enough, notched a goal in his first game back.

With Traktor trailing 2-1 in the second period, Kravtsov scored tying goal, 4:35 into the period. It was scored off a nice rush into the Amur zone.

Traktor went on to score two more goals for a 4-2 win over Amur in Khabarovsk before 2,130 spectators.

The Traktor coaches lightened his playing time, giving Kravtsov 18 shifts for 14:38 minutes of ice time.  That was the lowest ice time for the winger since his second game of the season.  He still had four shots on goal, one hit and blocked two shots.  He finished the game with a plus/minus of +2.

He now has seven goals and nine points in just 12 games.  With his 46 shots on goal he is second in the KHL taking 3.8 shots per game.  With his seven goals he is tied for tenth in goal scoring, despite missing over three weeks..   Traktor’s next game is Sunday, a rematch against Amur.

Their record is 10-1-2-6 and they are in fourth place with 24 points in the Kharlamov division.

In other KHL action, CSKA beat Dinamo Minsk 5-1  in Moscow before 1,853 fans.  Rangers defense prospect Yegor Rykov assisted on the third CSKA goal, a power play tally by Maxim Shulanov.

Rykov played 23 shifts for 15:05 minutes of ice time and finished with a +2 rating.    For Rykov it was his sixth assist of the season, he has yet to score a goal.

With the win, it improved the CSKA record to 13-2-2-3 and they lead the KHL wth 32 points.

Prospects in Finland

The COVID-19 pandemic is creating issues with Liiga as Leevi Aaltonen and KalPa saw their game against SaiPa postponed.  Meanwhile, TPS lost to Lukko 4-1 and Lauri Pajuniemi missed his fifth straight game with a leg injury.   It may be a coincidence, but TPS has yet to win a game in regulation without Pajuniemi in the lineup and they have lost four in a row.p.

In the Mestis League, Tarmo Reunanen is keeping up with his excellent play though he has been held to one assist in his last three games.  He is leading all TUTO HOckey defensemen in ice  time and has been taking a lot of shots with 17 shots on goal in just five games. TUTO has won four of five games since Reuanen joined the team.  Before that the team had dropped four of five.

Prospects in Sweden

The Swedish Hockey League doesn’t play on Fridays, but there were games in the Alsvenskan League.   Mora lost on the road to Västervik 3-1, but without Olof Lindbom in net.  He missed his third straight game since a goal crease collision that left him with back and neck soreness.

Jakob Ragnarsson  had no points in  Timrå’s 6-2 win over Sodertalje, playing 11:31 and 19 shifts.  It was Timrå’s fifth win of the season and their third straight.

2020 third round draft pick Oliver Tärnström was scoreless in in AIk’s overtime loss to Djurgardens IF.  He took one slashing penalty.  The young center is having a solid season in the Swedish junior league J20 Nationell Norra.  He has played in eight games and has three goals and three assists.

It’s a busy weekend with 11 games involving Rangers prospects on Saturday and Sunday.