Rangers finding early success by spreading scoring around lineup
Listen, the New York Rangers achieved a lot of success last season, and their potent offense was a big reason why. But this season’s version of the Rangers could achieve even greater heights if they continue to spread the wealth offensively throughout the lineup.
Three games is a small sample size, but the Rangers have lit the lamp 15 times already this season. Their lowest output was part of a 4-1 win against the Detroit Red Wings on Monday.
One major reason for the surge in production is that the entire lineup is joining in the party. The Rangers lead the NHL with 11 different players scoring at least one goal. Sixteen Rangers have recorded at least one point, tied for most in the League.
Those numbers could be even higher, but rookie defenseman Victor Mancini had an apparent goal against the Utah Hockey Club disallowed because teammate Matt Rempe was in the goal crease Saturday. Mancini is one of three Rangers without a point, along with Rempe and Adam Edstrom.
Part of what that means is that five of the six Rangers defensemen have at least one point. Jacob Trouba tops the list with four points (all assists) and Adam Fox has three assists/points. The Rangers have two goals (K’Andre Miller and Braden Schneider) and 10 points in three games from their defensemen.
Though only three games, it’s an excellent sign that Trouba is finding the score sheet again. The Rangers captain dipped to 22 points (three goals, 19 assists) in 69 games last season after notching 39 and 30 points the previous two seasons.
Related: Mika Zibanejad’s line looks to find flow for Rangers after success against Red Wings
Rangers scoring depth impressive early in season
The Rangers were seventh in the NHL scoring 278 goals last season. A power play which converted 26.4 percent of the time, third best in the League, was a big reason for their offensive success.
In the first three games this season, the Rangers have 12 even-strength goals, including five in a 6-0 opening-night win against the Pittsburgh Penguins. They’ve added two more on the power play and one shorthanded.
The top-six forwards are still doing the heavy lifting. Vincent Trocheck’s line has scored five goals, with Artemi Panarin and Alexis Lafreniere leading the way with two apiece. Mika Zibanejad’s line also has five goals, though two of Kreider’s team-high three were special-teams goals (one power play, one short-handed).
But the third line, dormant much of last season mostly because of injuries to Filip Chytil and Kaapo Kakko, is consistently generating chances. Chytil and Will Cuylle have found the back of the net, and Kakko has had several Grade-A opportunities.
And New York’s first goal this season was scored by fourth-line center Sam Carrick. That’s got to be a good sign, right?
Coach Peter Laviolette preached the other day that it takes time to jell, so not a whole lot should be taken from anything we see so early in the season. But it’s clear that if the Rangers continue to spread the wealth offensively and get consistent production from the bottom six and defense crops, they could be a massive handful for the opposition.
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