Rangers ‘change the scenery’ to get most out of 2 key young forwards
Three games is a small sample size when judging a lineup decision made by an NHL coach. But the early returns on Peter Laviolette’s call to swap young forwards Alexis Lafreniere and Will Cuylle in the top-six forward group is already paying dividends for the New York Rangers.
Since the young forwards switched lines prior to a 3-2 overtime win against the Minnesota Wild last Thursday, Cuylle has a point in each game (one goal, two assists) and Lafreniere has two points (one goal, one assist), including his first goal in 15 games.
Lafreniere moved off right wing on a line with Vincent Trocheck and Artemi Panarin, and slid onto the left side of J.T. Miller and Mika Zibanejad. Cuylle jumped from that line to his off wing in order to play with Trocheck and Panarin.
Not only has this seemed to have helped the Rangers top six play with more efficiency the past three games, but it’s elevated each player’s production. Lafreniere scored the game-opening goal in the 4-0 win against the Columbus Blue Jackets on Saturday and Cuylle netted New York’s only goal -tying the game 1-1 early in the second period — in a 3-1 loss to the Edmonton Oilers at home on Sunday.
“Some guys are just a little bit snake bit right now,” Laviolette said about the moves after the Wild game. “I think sometimes you just change the scenery. Move ‘Laf’ back to the left side … I thought both lines were good. But overall just in general the team played pretty hard.”
With the right-wing depth chart as thin as it is, this seemed like a bold strategy to move Lafreniere from his comfort zone and have Cuylle switch sides in the process. Especially taking into account Lafreniere’s success last season playing with Panarin and Trocheck, when he broke out with 28 goals and 57 points before tying for the team lead with eight goals in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. For whatever reason, Lafreniere hasn’t had the same success this season and really was laboring offensively the past few months.
Lafreniere managed only one shot in his first game with the new linemates. But he made an immediate impact in the second game by scoring against the Blue Jackets just 1:43 into the first period. Though he was the beneficiary of a great individual effort by Zibenajad on the forecheck to strip the puck from Blue Jackets defenseman Damon Severson and goaltender Daniil Tarasov, Lafreniere still did the right thing by going to the net.
That easy tap-in goal seemed to take the weight off his shoulders. Lafreniere finished with three shots on goal and five attempts, numbers considerably higher than his recent averages when his confidence tumbled.
“I think ‘Laf’ has done a really good job on that line,” Laviolette said Saturday. “Just a minor change, but it’s looked good so far.”
Cuylle had perhaps his best game since moving to the top six earlier this season, when he collected seven hits and four shots on goal against the Wild. He also had a perfect touch pass in front to set up Trocheck’s first goal in 11 games.
The 23-year-old followed up with a strong showing Saturday, highlighted by his third-period outlet pass that sprung Panarin and Trocheck on a 2-on-1 that Trocheck buried high blocker to make it 3-0.
Then again Sunday night, there was Cuylle scoring a greasy goal by poking a loose puck over the goal line, assisted by each of his new linemates.
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Young Rangers forwards could benefit playing outside comfort zone
When you watch Cuylle’s progression with the logjam at left wing in the organization compared to the right wing, it’s easy for management to view him as Chris Kreider’s successor. Whether it’s this summer or down the line, Cuylle is a power forward like Kreider, who has the size, speed and tenacity the Rangers hunger for. The biggest difference being the 10-year age difference.
Cuylle brings a north and south game and serious compete level that are vital in the postseason. But, generally, switching to the off-wing is a pretty big adjustment for a player of that prototype.
When asked about it after the Minnesota game, Cuylle stated how Panarin makes it easy for him.
“’Bread’ likes to have the puck on his stick, skating around,” Cuylle explained. “So, if I can get to the net, get in the goalies eyes anytime he shoots it, probably gives it a lot better chance of going in.”
It was Cuylle’s net-front presence that set up Trocheck’s goal against the Wild.
Coming out of the gates on fire, the Rangers third line of Cuylle – Filip Chytil – Kappo Kakko started the season as efficient as any line combination in the NHL. In fact, they led the entire League in expected goals for in October, just ahead of the star-studded lines like Michael Nylander – Auston Matthew – Matthew Knies of the Toronto Maple Leafs, Sebastian Aho – Andrei Svechnikov – Seth Jarvis of the Carolina Hurricanes, and the Coloroad Avalanche threesome of Nathan Mackinnon – Mikko Rantanan – Ross Colton. All while being the last line to be on the ice for a goal against. It doesn’t get more efficient than that.
But with both Chytil and Kakko since traded, something had to give while rewarding Cuylle’s effectiveness. He was fourth on the Rangers in points and first in plus-minus before he was promoted to Zibanejad’s line on Jan. 9. Cuylle finished that month with three points in 10 games and was minus-4. The only player worse was Zibanejad. Even though Cuylle can still be viewed as New York’s next star power forward, Cuylle & Zibanejad did not equal Kreider & Zibanejad, when it came to chemistry.
Lafreniere’s development was on a slow trajectory that seemed worth the wait come last spring, when he looked like an emerging star in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. The 23-year-old even earned himself a hefty seven-year contract extension out of it.
But a fast start this season hit a brick wall, and Laviolette is hopeful this line change will spur something in Lafreniere. Through 68 games, the former No. 1 overall pick has 15 goals and 38 points.
Zibanejad is in the middle of a renaissance since Miller’s arrival Feb. 1 in a trade with the Vancouver Canucks. And Miller’s been a point-per-game players since arriving. The Rangers must hope Lafreniere feeds off them.
Panarin has proven he doesn’t need anything more than someone that can commit to the dirty work to still put up numbers. See his first season on Broadway as an example, when he was up for the Hart Trophy, first in the League in 5v5 points, playing primarily with Ryan Strome and Jesper Fast.
Cuylle was a force against the Wild in his first game with Panarin. Makes you wonder if having him on that line will give Panarin more space and respect come playoff time … should the Rangers actually reach the postseason that is.
That’s what all this is about right now. Yes, finding ways to get Cuylle and, especially, Lafreniere going. But to do so in order to win games, pile up standings points and make the playoffs for the fourth straight season.
Let’s see how it continues to play out for Cuylle and Lafreniere, with the Calgary Flames up next Tuesday at MSG.
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