New York Rangers head coach Alain Vigneault has once again changed his lines as he looks for the winning formula.
These appeared to be the lines/pairs at start of practice. Enjoy: 20-93-89, 61-13-36, 26-51-10, 40-28-25; 27-55, 76-42, 18-22, 47-77.
— Justin Tasch (@J_Tasch) October 12, 2017
Let’s not beat around the bush here: The depth that the Rangers thought they had does not exist. David Desharnais has moved up in the Blueshirts’ lineup as Paul Carey now finds himself at center on the fourth line.
You can’t help but wonder if the Rangers made a mistake sending Filip Chytil to Hartford earlier this week. Chytil gave the Rangers another option at center, a position where they now appear to be looking for answers. Going with Carey shows that the Rangers really don’t have any options down the middle.
D-Pairs Have Changed Again
Vigneault explained new D pairs: 1) Like McDonagh on the left more; 2) Shattenkirk still adjusting; 3) Figuring out 1 shutdown pair or group
— Brett Cyrgalis (@BrettCyrgalis) October 12, 2017
After being a healthy scratch the last two games, Brendan Smith is ready to return to the lineup. Vigneault didn’t like Smith’s game to start the year which is why he’s been a spectator. Not allowing Smith, who they gave a long-term contract to this offseason, to work out his issues in the lineup and to go with Steven Kampfer over Nick Holden is mindboggling.
That Kevin Shattenkirk is having a hard time adjusting doesn’t come as a surprise as he is still learning a new system. Shattenkirk has looked fine on the powerplay but, outside of that, he has been shaky on the defensive end of the ice.
Ryan McDonagh playing on the left-side is not unorthodox. Although he has seen limited time there, McDonagh has had success playing the left side when Vigneault has put thim there in the past. At this point, with the Rangers defense struggling, why not try something new?
Lundqvist to get the start in Columbus
Vigneault also said Lundqvist will start tomorrow in Columbus, meaning that baring any 5-goal periods, Pavelec will go Saturday at home.
— Brett Cyrgalis (@BrettCyrgalis) October 12, 2017
Henrik Lundqvist will be in goal Friday night after having two days off following the Rangers 3-1 loss to the St. Louis Blues. Lundqvist has bounced back after struggling in the team’s first two games and has only allowed two goals in his last two outings.
Ondrej Pavelec will make his first start as a Ranger on Saturday.
