Rangers vs. Sabres preview: A game they really need to win
By Steve Paulus
About the Rangers
With Chytil’s return to the lineup as the third line center, it means a return to the taxi squad for Jonny Brodzinski. While Brodzinski didn’t play badly and scored against the Bruins on Friday, Chytil should be a substantial upgrade. He hasn’t played since January 24 so he will have to shake off some rust.
In practice the third line consisted of Chytil with Kevin Rooney and Julien Gauthier. It’s been reported that Chytil had a hand or arm injury and that could hamper him on draws so look for Rooney to take faceoffs instead of Chytil on that line.
With Kakko coming off the COVID list, he should be available later this week versus New Jersey. It also means that it’s likely that he didn’t test positive for COVID, but had an exposure that required a 10 day quarantine. The NHL’s COVID protocol calls for 10 days quarantine and and additional four days without practice for players who test positive, but show no symptoms. It’s been 11 days for Kakko.
The Rangers have not allowed a power play goal in ten of their last 12 games and they have improved to sixth best on the penalty kill in the NHL with an 85.3% success rate. If they keep this up, it will be the third best penalty kill for the team in the last 16 years.
If only they could match this defensive prowess with some offense. Their 2.58 goals per game average is 25th in the NHL. How bad is that? Only five Rangers squads in the last 45 years have scored fewer over a full season.
Who’s hot? Ryan Strome has two goals and seven points in his last five games. Chris Kreider has five goals in four games. Lafrenière has three points in four games. Colin Blackwell has four goals in his last six games.
Who’s not? Mika Zibanejad has one goal and two assists in nine games. Brett Howden has one assist in 14 games. Phil Di Giuseppe has one goal in his last 11 games. Brendan Lemieux is scoreless in his last six games.
The Rangers haven’t been very resilient this season. They have gone 4-4-2 after a loss. Last season they were 20-11-1 after losing.
Igor Shesterkin will get the start. He beat the Sabres in overtime in his only start against them this season.