The Rangers ‘playoff hopes in the last two defeats have been hanging by a thread, which is even more frightening than the Bruins’ current six-match winning streak.
Consequently, an experimental period is on the horizon.
It began on Thursday during a 3–2 loss to the Flyers, when Alexis Lafrinier replaced Chris Kreider in the top line left wing. The 19-year-old Lafreniere skated alongside Mika Jibanejad and Pavel Buchaniewicz, while Kreider found himself in the third row alongside Philip Line and Capo Cacco next to the Youngsters.
The flip-flop was not really an experiment, given that Lafreniere had 12 games next to Zibanezad and Buchaniewicz earlier this season – including ninth when Artemi Panarin was on his leave of absence. The real reshuffle has not yet begun as the Rangers are not officially relegated from playoff contention, and head coach David Quinn has said he has “room to answer”.
But elevating the first-overall pick to the top line was a safe spot for Quinn, starting with big changes likely from the lineup.
“I felt he made some plays,” Queenie said of Laffrinier, who set his linemates in ice time in consecutive losses. “I liked his game [Thursday night]”
Considering Crider is on a cold streak that has given him four points in the month of April, it was understood that he would be the one to come down in the lineup. And with Colin Blackwell, currently on the second-line right wing next to Panarin and Ryan Strome, cooling off from his inspired performances in the series against the Devils, he will likely be swapped in favor of the next skater for the young forward.
Vitaly Kravtsov has started every game in the lower six since his NHL debut earlier this month, with one spent on the third line and another 10 on the fourth. Since Kakoko has gained more than a sample size of time in the second line, the coaching staff would like to see what the 21-year-old Kravtsov could do at that location.
Even Chitil, who has centered the third line all season, may be due to a few reps next to Panarin. The 21-year-old Czech has averaged just 13 minutes this season and could see an increase when the playoffs are out of the picture, with the organization evaluating what they have going forward.
The Rangers have four recalls left, promising to further complicate the picture. At least one, if not all, will likely be used within the remaining eight matches following Friday’s matchup with the Flyers.
The first possibility is Morgan Barone, a 6-foot-4 center out of Cornell, who has 18 points (10 goals, eight assists) in 19 matches with Hartford this season.
“I think Morgan has played very well,” General Manager Jeff Gorton said during his trade deadline press conference. “We hope he gets a chance or someone who deserves it.” We’ll keep him there for now, let’s see how he does, but he’s definitely opened his eyes to what he’s done, so we’re watching it, as well as taking some other players there. “
There is a possibility that defenseman Tarmo Reunanen could get another look after one of his game cameos on March 15 when Adam Fox was in the COVID-19 protocol after registering false positives. Right winger Ty Ronning may also get the call after scoring nine goals in 13 matches with the Wolf Pack.
The time to focus on the next season may be closer than that of the Rangers, but it is coming, as are the next steps towards that future.
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