-Not an unexpected result, although they didn't play entirely bad. Breakouts were actually better in the 1st, bad in the 2nd, then the team as a whole looked tired in the 3rd despite GG's overconfidence.
-PP1 was incredibly disjointed. Kane hasn't done much in 2 games, but I actually fault Panarin for a lot of it. 0 shots today, and constantly trying to set Kane up all game even when the passes weren't there. 10 was "credited" was 6 giveaways today...no other Ranger had more than 2. Even strength, Trocheck and Panarin also still don't have chemistry. 16's playstyle just isn't generally compatible. When 10 and 88 have the puck, he's not where he needs to be. He's good at zone entry, but so are the other two. I really would rather see Chytil between those two.
-PP2 looks a heck of a lot better with Lafreniere replacing Kakko. Tarasenko on that unit adds an immediate shooting threat and swapping Laf in for Kakko allows Tarasenko to play along the half wall where he's better. As much as I wanted the kids to play in scoring roles earlier in the season this is the right move the rest of the way as KK just hasn't shown the offensive ability to assert his will. For better or worse, this is the team down the stretch, and they've gone all in, so now it's time to take what they have and make the most of it. Unfortunately, player development suffers again, but this is the only action with where this team is right now.
-I really don't fault Igor for any of the goals tonight. Blown netfront coverages and bad turnovers were the culprit.
-Harpur was horrible in the 3rd, and Schneider had another weak game. Also, during his 3 minute shift, he was 10 feet from the bench and failed to change. The decision making of those 2 is really questionable, and I'm looking forward to not being shorthanded, and ultimately to when Harpur is no longer a fixture in the lineup.
-For all the hate Laf is getting on here, he's been the best player on the kid line for the last 3 weeks, and he'd be around .8PPG over that time if Chytil could finish the chances he's gotten the last 3 weeks. Yes, he gets muscled off the puck easily and he can't fight through checks - all things to work on in the offseason in terms of upper body strength and skating stride, but you can clearly see the potential. Not thrilled, however, with Kakko for the reasons above. Soft perimeter play, he's arguably the slowest skater on the team, and he's back to handling the puck like his stick is a pool noodle under checking pressure where he's facing the play.
-They still got 2 against a goalie who doesn't give up 2 while clearly not anywhere near their best. That alone should be a moral victory, if nothing else.
-As much as I hate not having any sports to watch for the next few days, these days off should be good for the team to get healthy and start creating chemistry on the ice.
Thinking I'd really like to see these line combos:
20-93-24
10-72-88
13-16-91
??-21-26 (at least until we know what's going on with Motte)...if we're allowed to call up Brodz, I'd rather see 21-76-26 as a 4th for now.
