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The Breakout of The Kids Could Be Upon Us

By Lucas Standel |
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - DECEMBER 07: Mika Zibanejad #93, Alexis Lafrenière #13 and Kaapo Kakko #24 of the New York Rangers celebrate after Lafrenière scored a third-period goal against Logan Thompson #36 of the Vegas Golden Knights during their game at T-Mobile Arena on December 07, 2022 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Rangers defeated the Golden Knights 5-1. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - DECEMBER 07: Mika Zibanejad #93, Alexis Lafrenière #13 and Kaapo Kakko #24 of the New York Rangers celebrate after Lafrenière scored a third-period goal against Logan Thompson #36 of the Vegas Golden Knights during their game at T-Mobile Arena on December 07, 2022 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Rangers defeated the Golden Knights 5-1. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

For the first time since they were all drafted, Alexis Lafreniere, Kaapo Kakko, and Filip Chytil all scored in the same game. This happened in the Rangers” win against the Golden Knights and it was a marvelous sight to see. If this is just the beginning, the future could look very bright for those three kids on Broadway.

The game against Vegas really showed what this team could look like if the young players were given a true chance to play and given big minutes. Lafreniere and Kakko were playing with Mika Zibanejad and Chytil had Artemi Panarin on one of his wings. Not bad company to be playing with. If these line combinations stay together and if they continue to work, the breakout of “The Kids” could be coming sooner rather than later.

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – DECEMBER 07: Mika Zibanejad #93, Alexis Lafrenière #13 and Kaapo Kakko #24 of the New York Rangers celebrate after Lafrenière scored a third-period goal against Logan Thompson #36 of the Vegas Golden Knights during their game at T-Mobile Arena on December 07, 2022, in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Rangers defeated the Golden Knights 5-1. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – DECEMBER 07: Mika Zibanejad #93, Alexis Lafrenière #13 and Kaapo Kakko #24 of the New York Rangers celebrate after Lafrenière scored a third-period goal against Logan Thompson #36 of the Vegas Golden Knights during their game at T-Mobile Arena on December 07, 2022, in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Rangers defeated the Golden Knights 5-1. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) /

Having Kakko and Lafreniere play with Zibanejad gave them the jolt they needed. Once they were together, they were more noticeable in many areas of the game. They are making plays, getting into areas to score, and are more willing to get back and play defensively if needed. All these guys needed was a chance. They have all the skills in the world and they were drafted highly because of it. Putting them with the team’s best center has worked out tremendously so far and we can only hope that it continues to work.

For Chytil, he has had an up-and-down season due to some injuries. If he was in the lineup more, he would have better numbers. Now that he is back and getting to play with Panarin, he looks like the best version of Chytil that we have seen since he was drafted in 2017. His goal on Wednesday was one that he needed and now that he got the monkey off his back, he will look to keep playing at this level if he wants to stay with Panarin for the long haul.

The third kid Filip Chytil celebrates his goal in Vegas during Rangers win
The third kid Filip Chytil celebrates his goal in Vegas during Rangers win /

If Gerard Gallant gives these lines time to build chemistry, it could be the answer to the Rangers’ even-strength scoring problems. You can have a more balanced lineup with the lines as they are now. The more opportunity you give to these young kids, the better the chances are of them turning into the players you thought you were drafting. Give them time and they will reward you.

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