The Rangers are moving pieces all over the place at the moment. Kakko has played with Zib, Chytil and Trocheck recently. Not sure exactly what GG is doing with all the rotations but it seems to be working. If nothing else it gets the players out of their comfort zone to be working with different people every few games. Kreider to the 3rd line with Trocheck has been a thing for the win streak. Strange decision but it is working, both because it gives the kids playing time and it gives the Rangers one of the best 3rd lines in the NHL.
I'm definitely wondering if he's good on a team that has as much young talent as the Rangers do. Some coaches teach and others rely on their vets to know what to do. GG seems like he is in the latter camp.
He’s in the camp of having no idea what he’s doing. Why is Kravtsov on the bench for Sammy Blais? Sammy Blais and serves no purpose other than the occasional hit. Why is offensive blackhole Goodrow on a line with 2 dynamic offensive player? Goodrow is a 4th line player that is a very good PKer. That’s fine by me. Use him the right way. Why is Trouba still playing when he’s injured? Gallant is just an absolute airhead. Chytil’s comments last night about finally getting more than 20s on the PP were a direct shot at Gallant.
Trouba himself said he's injured. I understand using him as a punching bag; he hasn't been good this year, but he's clearly injured. He's playing well below last year's standards. I believe it's a hand injury.
Halak got another win. Zibanejad isn't really his old self yet but he's plenty good and the chemistry with Panarin seems to be growing.
Look, I will not deny I trashed the guy, but that was because he was playing like trash. I've given him credit: this is the best stretch of consistently good hockey he has ever played.
With Chytil out maybe the Rangers will move the kid wings back to Zibanejad and have Panarin - Goodrow - Kravtsov for line 2? That would let them keep Kreider - Trocheck - Vesey on line 3 which seems to be clicking right now.