The New York Rangers open a four-game road trip, three in Western Canada and one in Seattle, tonight against the Calgary Flames. Brennan Othmann makes his season debut with Matt Rempe still in New York being evaluated for his upper body injury suffered in his fight against Ryan Reaves on Thursday against San Jose. The Blueshirts look to break a two-game losing streak tonight in Calgary.
Othmann Debut/Lines Today:
Panarin – Miller – Raddysh
Sheary – Zibanejad – Lafrenière
Cuylle – Laba – Othmann
Edström – Carrick – Pärssinen
Gavrikov – Fox
Robertson – Borgen
Soucy – Schneider
A new “kid” line is in place. Will Cuylle, brilliant last year on the third line, has struggled in his move into the top-six. Whether it is the step up in class versus top-pair defenseman or just a slump, Cuylle has just one goal in nine contests. In addition, Cuylle has not looked like the physical force he was last year.
The hope is back on the third line and paired with Noah Laba and Othmann, Cuylle will re-find his game. His new trio all like to play physical hockey and hopefully will benefit from their new teammates. Look for Cuylle to be ultra-aggressive today.
New York also re-jiggered the other three lines. Tay;lor Raddysh, off his hat trick Thursday, moves up to the top line. He is skating with J.T. Miller and Artemi Panarin, who are playing together trying to jumpstart their games.
Alexis Lafreniere, so disappointing to date, is now on the right side with Mika Zibanejad with Conor Sheary moved to the left. Sheary has not done much offensively – who has – but has brought a lunch pail game nightly, showing max effort on each shift. Maybe switching sides will ignite Laf.
With Rempe sidelined, Jusso Parsinnen slides down to skate with Adam Edström and Sam Carrick. Jonny Brodzinski is the healthy scratch again, Rempe might be able to join the team later in the road trip, though that depends on the result of the exam in New York. If no concussion or no major damage to his hand, maybe he plays Tuesday in Vancouver or Thursday in Edmonton.
Vincent Trocheck Not Close to Returning:
We have no idea what Trocheck’s injury is, nor is he close to returning. Sunday was the eighth game Trocheck missed. He will need to miss at least two more games and be sidelined 24 days, which is November 3. As he is not even close, Trocheck might not be ready even by that possible return date.
