A Better Recap of the Rangers’ Pre-Season Loss to the Wings

From Jim Cerny at NewYorkRangers.com: For the second game out of three preseason contests, Rangers head coach John Tortorella placed three young Russians—Artem Anisimov, Evgeny Grachev, and Enver Lisin—on the same line, and with positive results. After that threesome showed good chemistry in Tuesday’s match against the Bruins, they combined for two goals and four points in Friday’s contest. Anisimov, the 21-year-old center who recorded 81 points at Hartford a year ago, notched a goal and an assist to lead the team on Friday. He opened the scoring 7:26 into the first period by whipping a 35-foot shot past Chris Osgood after quickly shifting the puck to his forehand from his backhand. While that play showed his skill, Anisimov also showed his smarts to help the Rangers grab a 2-0 lead at 3:39 of the second period. Anisimov deftly stepped up to challenge an unaware Red Wings defenseman at the Detroit blueline, causing a turnover. Although Anisimov fell to the ice after taking the puck away, the 19-year-old Grachev scooted forward to collect it. Grachev powered his way to the net, and sent a hard backhand shot towards the goal that was denied by Osgood. Lisin, though, was able to follow the play and nudge the puck over the goal line for his first goal of the preseason. Click here for more, Blueshirt fans.