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Can the Rangers kids keep producing and sustain their early success?

By Lucas Standel |
RALEIGH, NORTH CAROLINA - MAY 18: Filip Chytil #72 of the New York Rangers (2nd from right) celebrates his goal against the Carolina Hurricanes at 7:07 of the first period and is joined by (L-R) Alexis Lafreniere #13, Kaapo Kakko #24 and Adam Fox #23 in Game One of the Second Round of the 2022 Stanley Cup Playoffs at PNC Arena on May 18, 2022 in Raleigh, North Carolina. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
RALEIGH, NORTH CAROLINA - MAY 18: Filip Chytil #72 of the New York Rangers (2nd from right) celebrates his goal against the Carolina Hurricanes at 7:07 of the first period and is joined by (L-R) Alexis Lafreniere #13, Kaapo Kakko #24 and Adam Fox #23 in Game One of the Second Round of the 2022 Stanley Cup Playoffs at PNC Arena on May 18, 2022 in Raleigh, North Carolina. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)

The “Kid” Line for the Rangers was the team’s best line during the playoffs. The plan was for them to start the year together, but due to injuries and line adjustments, plans changed. Now Kappo Kakko, Alexis Lafreniere, and Filip Chytil are playing on different lines and each player is thriving so far to start the season. The question now is, can they keep up this level of success for a longer period of time?

Kakko looks like a completely different player compared to prior years. He is stronger on the puck, has shown more confidence in his game, and has scored two goals at the start of the year. Playing with Zibanejad and Kreider only helps his game as he is a strong complement to them and is not being carried by them. Kakko is creating the offensive chances and that line has looked incredible to start the year.

Lafreniere has gotten the chance to play with Artemi Panarin and Vincent Trocheck due to the injury sustained by Vitali Kravtsov during the home opener against the Lightning. Lafreniere has not looked out of place and is thriving on the right wing, his weak side. He has three points in five games and is looking like the player the Rangers drafted first overall. Like Kakko, he has more confidence in his game, and playing with elite talent only helps him.

TAMPA, FLORIDA – JUNE 07: Artemi Panarin #10 of the New York Rangers celebrates with his teammates after scoring a goal on Andrei Vasilevskiy #88 of the Tampa Bay Lightning during the third period in Game Four of the Eastern Conference Final of the 2022 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Amalie Arena on June 07, 2022, in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Mike Carlson/Getty Images)
TAMPA, FLORIDA – JUNE 07: Artemi Panarin #10 of the New York Rangers celebrates with his teammates after scoring a goal on Andrei Vasilevskiy #88 of the Tampa Bay Lightning during the third period in Game Four of the Eastern Conference Final of the 2022 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Amalie Arena on June 07, 2022, in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Mike Carlson/Getty Images) /

Lastly, Filip Chytil has looked much better to start the year than seasons prior. He is more willing to go to the dirty areas and has scored goals from being around the front of the net. Chytil was the bright point during the loss to the Sharks. His goal and all-around play were outstanding and he looks like the players’ fans have wanted to see for the last number of years.

The “Kids” are looking just fine to start the year. The real test is playing like this over the majority of the season. These players have not had sustained success over their careers so far, but if this small sample size can tell us anything, the future looks bright for the kids on Broadway.

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