The New York Rangers return to action tonight, still smarting from their 3-1 loss to the Minnesota Wild on Monday. Awaiting them are the winless Sharks. The gloom and boomers would have you believe San Jose has New York right where they want it based on prior history. If the Blueshirts are unable to notch a victory and beat Alex Nedeljkovic several times, the Barbarians will be at the Gate.
On Monday, Artemi Panarin scored less than a minute into the contest for the first goal at MSG by the home team this year in the fourth game of the season. Following that tally, Minnesota took over the game for much of the first period, evening the score. The Wild had New York on their heels much of the contest, adding a greasy goal in the third for the game-winner. The Blueshirts were stoned by Filip Gustavsson when they did mount an attack, but again, it was too little.
Top-Six Production Issues
Eight games into the season, the lack of scoring depth is apparent. With Vincent Trocheck, who is not really a sniper, out of the lineup, the team is down to Panarin and Mika Zibanejad, who could be termed scorers. Will Cuylle, so good on the third line last year, has struggled in his ascent to the top six. A move up the ladder was the next step for him, but he is not a true scorer either. Much of his work has to be done in the dirty areas, and coach Mike Sullivan noted that he needs to see more of that from him.
The sands through the hourglass are starting to get lighter and lighter for Alexis Lafreniere, making all of us wonder if he is on borrowed time. The first overall pick in 2020, Lafreniere has clearly not developed as hoped, and he is not living him to his draft selection status. Several in his class have surpassed him, while his name has been whispered in the Nail Yakupov territory. Like Cuylle, Laf was called out by Sullivan for needing to take his game to another level. His lack of progress in nearly all aspects, especially now that he is seeing first-unit power-play time, is disconcerting. It may still be slightly too early to give up on him, but his window may be closing.
Conor Sheary, filling in on the first line, is certainly not a scorer, while JT Miller is having a rough start to the season. This takes care of the first two lines. But when you get past the top six, is where the issues really arise.
Lack of Scoring Depth
As good as the fourth line has been, they are not counted on to score, nor are they. Sam Carrick might be the best option in the trio, and that is saying a lot. However, based on what that unit has provided to date, I have no complaints.
The issue is the third line. If New York had enough scorers up front, then Cuylle and Laf would be on this unit, and all would be right with the world. With that duo in the top unit and Taylor Raddysh plus Jusso Parsinnen or Jonny Brodzinski, two-thirds of the line with Noah Laba, offense has been a challenge. While New York is rightly not rushing Gave Perreault and appears unwilling to call up Brett Berard, the group that needs to aid the top six continues to have its own production issue.
Even worse is the lack of options in the minors. Other teams have scorers up and down their lineup and waiting in the wings. New York has grinders and kickers, which contribute to the team getting goalie-d due to the lack of finishers. Chris Kreider and Kaapo Kakko are elsewhere, and the failure to hit on the first and then the second pick in consecutive years is coming back to haunt them now.
Nathan Aspinal Signed
Aspinal, a fifth-round selection, 159 overall in 2024, was off to a brilliant start for the Flint Firebirds of the OHL. It was a question of when, not if, he would receive the ELC. Aspinal joins a big front line in New York with Dylan
Roobroeck, Adam Edstrom, and Matt Rempe all 6-5 or bigger.
Home › Forums › Rangers Face Winless Sharks at MSG