The Rangers defeated the Islanders 4-2 in the team's second pre-season game. After getting whitewashed versus Boston, New York scored 15 seconds into the game and potted three lamplighters in the first 3;10 of the contest. Kaapo Kakko, Tyler Pitlick and Chris Kreider did the damage early with Blake Wheeler tallying in the second period. The Blueshirts face the Devils at home Thursday and meet the Islanders on the road Friday.
Lines:
Othmann - Trochkeck - Kakko
Kreider - Brodzinski - Wheeler
Goodrow - Bonino - Pitlick
Edstrom - Leschyshyn - Rempe
Lindgren - Fox
Miller - Trouba
Gustafsson - Hollowell
A few points:
1)
Third line chemistry: Coach Peter Laviolette's post-game comments lend credence to the view that Goodrow - Bonino - Pitlick will be the team's fourth line Opening Night, October 12, against Buffalo. Pitlick, beyond the goal, had five hits while also playing on the penalty kill. I was high on him when the Rangers signed him this offseason, believing his speed and grit were a good fit. The same with Bonino, who is the prototypical fourth line, as he can score a little but is more known for his defensive game. Yes, I know, you can't have a fourth line winger who makes $3.641 million a season. But guess what, that's where he likely best fits and will be deployed.
"It's probably trying to find chemistry with that type of a line, and the fact that they do multiple things out there," Laviolette said when asked what he's looking for from his fourth line. "You've got a couple of faceoff guys, you've got guys that defend well, that are penalty killers, that can get you out of tough situations in your own zone. I think players like that and lines like that, when they're together, they really take pride. That's their job… I thought, for the first showing of them being together, I thought it was a really good line for us."
2)
Top line: both Kakko and Othmann had their moments. Kakko with the goal but Laviolette, as Vince Mercogliano pointed out, focused on other components of his game that he felt stood out. Othmann showed the ability and willingness to use his size to create space but also came to the aid of his teammate, retaliating when he felt Kakko had a cheap shot from Scott Mayfield. Othmann is likely ticketed for Hartford, where he will work on learning to be a pro, which will include being quicker with his shot and adjusting to the caliber of the players. Othmann played left wing, which may be where he stays, especially if Alexis Lafreniere can make the transition to the right side.
Laviolette on Kakko: "There was one shift down in the offensive zone where he had the puck on his stick for 35 seconds, 40 seconds – and he has the ability to do that," he said. "He has the speed and the size and the creativity to hang on to pucks and to try and find something and make something happen offensively when it's not crystal clear. The crystal-clear plays, those are the easy ones to see and make. But when you don't have those crystal-clear plays – when you have a player that has the ability to create – that can become a really dangerous player. I think you saw some good glimpses of that tonight."
3)
Netminding and defense: always a good thing when the netminding, even with Igor Shesterkin between the pipes to start the game and Dylan Garand following him, is a non-story in a good way. The Rangers were pretty solid defensively with Adam Fox and Ryan Lindgren and k'Andre Miller and Jacob TRouba as pairs just like in prior years. The pair that stood though were Erik Gustafsson and Mac Hollowell. Gustafsson may have taken the early lead over Zac Jones on the sixth d-man spot while Hollowell impressed Laviolette. It's only one, but Hollowell, who should end up starting the year in Hartford, could be the next man up if a right-handed d-man is needed.
4)
On the injury front, Mika Zibanjead, who left Sunday's scrimmage with an upper-body injury and was in a red, non-contact jersey Monday, practiced this morning. On the flip side, Artemi Panarin did not practice Tuesday due to a lower-body injury, while Filip Chytil exited halfway through with an upper-body injury. Both players are being called day-to-day with the hope that the absence won't be long. That said, I would be shocked if either plays this week with the hope that both can suit at least for one of the two exhibition games next week.
Laviolette has upped the intensity of practice, making them faster and harder with more contact than under former coach Gerard Gallant. The current coach is molding the team into a much harder unit to face during the season. Clearly no one wants injuries, and the hope has to be what we have seen early on is just a momentary absence and nothing severe. But Laviolette is putting his stamp on this squad in terms of what is expected from each player and the product that will be on the ice.
New York Rangers Blogger • 
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