The Rangers rebounded from their 6-1 loss to the Hurricanes to defeat the Blackhawks 4-1 on Thursday. In a game that didn’t have much juice on the ice, New York wore down Chicago, notching a pair in the second period. The Blueshirts had a balanced attack, led by the Artemi Panarin–Vincent Trocheck–Alexis Lafreniere line, and head to Montreal to face the Canadiens on Saturday.
The focus coming into the game, at least from the outside media, was the debut of Connor Bedard on Broadway. In my view, Bedard did not have a great game, showing a few snippets of his talent, but for the most part, the Rangers’ checking line did a solid job of limiting his time and space. When he did get some of either, New York increased their physical play, seen in Vincent Trocheck bodying Bedard off the puck at the defensive blue line, creating a rush the other way that led to the opening goal of the game by Artemi Panarin.
The game represented the debut of Brennan Othmann, the 16th overall pick by the Blueshirts in the 2021 draft, who turned 21 on Friday. Promoted due to the injury to Tyler Pitlick that will sideline him week-to-week. Othmann skated on the third line with Nick Bonino and Jonny Brodzinski, the latter his linemate to start the season in Hartford. Othmann certainly did not look out of place, getting five shots on net while dishing out three hits. His play was so solid that coach Peter Laviolette placed him on the top line for a shift while Blake Wheeler was in the box due to a fighting major, and he skated with Trocheck on a 4-on-4 situation as well.
Igor Shesterkin, the only goalie initially selected, was named an All-Star for the second time. Panarin, who pretty much was a lock, will miss the game as his wife is due to give birth to the couple’s second child around the time the game will take place in Toronto. New York has several deserving candidates. But my vote using the #NHLAllStarVote hashtag is going to Trocheck, who has been instrumental in the Rangers first half of the season performance.
In further good news, Kaapo Kakko, sidelined since November 27 against the Sabres, skated in a red non-contact jersey Thursday. If all continues to progress and go well, Kakko could potentially return to the Rangers at the end of the month or after the All-Star break. Kakko struggled mightily offensively before he was injured – notching just a pair of goals and an assist in 20 games – but he is solid defensively and lengthens the lineup, especially on the right side.
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