The New York Rangers are struggling to find the back fo the net and David Quinn is continuing to try and find the right combinations.
Coming into Sunday’s game against the Kings, the New York Rangers will look to avenge a dreadful third period in Chicago Thursday night. A period that saw them only generate one shot on goal, forcing David Quinn to get creative, again.
Some major line changes from David Quinn:
Vesey-Zibanejad-Zuccarello
Kreider-Hayes-Spooner
Namestnikov-Howden-Buchnevich
McLeod-Chytil-FastStaal Pionk
Skjei-DeAngelo
Smith-Shattenkirk(via @jaygeemsg)#NYR
— Dom Renna (@drennaESNY) October 27, 2018
After just two games, the first year head coach decided to break up his top line of Chris Kreider, Mika Zibanejad, and Mats Zuccarello. Kreider is second on the team in goals with four, and he will be moved down to the second line. Replacing Kreider is Jimmy Vesey who has been off to a good start but, is still struggling to find the back of the net consistently.
The other noticeable change from Quinn is moving Filip Chytil from the wing back to centering the fourth line. Chytil has had plenty of scoring chances over the last four games but, still has yet to find the back of the net this season. With his confidence at this point low to begin with, you have to wonder how moving to the fourth line will adjust his game.
Quinn also decided to break up the line of Pavel Buchnevich, Brett Howden, and Vesey. Moving up to take Vesey’s spot will be Vladislav Namestnikov who is also struggling to find the back of the net at the same clip he did in Tampa.
With these lines, the Blueshirts are hoping a different look can bring a spark to a group that just disappeared Thursday in Chicago.
Shots on goal to this point:
1st period: 11-7 Chicago
2nd period: 12-11 Chicago
3rd period: 6-1 Chicago#NYR— Dom Renna (@drennaESNY) October 26, 2018
One other major change for the Blueshirts heading into Los Angeles is Tony DeAngelo returning to the Rangers lineup. Adam McQuaid did not participate in the Rangers practice Saturday afternoon, and will likely miss Sunday’s game with a lower-body injury.
Coach Quinn says McQuaid is day-to-day. He won’t play tomorrow but hopefully before the trip ends.
— New York Rangers (@NYRangers) October 27, 2018
DeAngelo has not played since Oct. 11 against the San Jose Sharks where he saw 20:32 in icetime.
Henrik Lundqvist is expected to get the start in goal for the Blueshirts against a Kings team who ranks 30th in goals scored with 18.
Face-off is scheduled for 3:30 PM EST Sunday afternoon in a rematch of the 2014 Stanley Cup Final.
