Rangers coach explains reasons why Filip Chytil line receiving more ice time
Heading into their final game in the first month of the season, the New York Rangers couldn’t be much happier with all they’ve gotten from the line of Will Cuylle – Filip Chytil – Kaapo Kakko.
Not only has that line made the Rangers a deeper, more dangerous team with their terrific two-way play, it can be argued that the Chytil line, named after its center who is healthy again this season, is among the best two-way lines in the NHL this season.
In fact, Cuylle, Chytil and Kakko have formed one of the best all-around line combinations in the NHL so far this season. Rangers coach Peter Laviolette already trusts that unit since he’s deployed it more often than the Mika Zibanejad line with Chris Kreider and Reilly Smith.
The Chytil line has played roughly eight more minutes than the Zibanejad line at 5v5 through eight games this season (79:33 to 71:21). Of course, Zibanejad and Kreider play more minutes on special teams, on the top power-play and PK units.
But it still stands out that the Chytil line is logging more TOI at even strength.
“It’s more just trying to spread the bench out a little bit,” Laviolette told reporters at the morning skate Tuesday. “Fil’s line has been really good with regard to generating positive numbers … My job is to try and find them minutes.”
Cuylle, Chytil and Kakko have been on ice for eight goals for and zero against. That line’s xGF is a team-best 65.31 percent, per Natural Stat Trick. The Rangers have a 23-12 advantage in high-danger chances with the Chytil line on the ice.
Cuylle is tied for fourth on team with seven points (two goals, five assists). Chytil (three goals, three assists) and Kakko (one goal, five assists) each is one point behind their linemate.
The top line centered by Vincent Trocheck, flanked by Artemi Panarin and Alexis Lafreniere, leads the Rangers with 102:10 TOI this season. They’ve outscored opponents 7-6 at even strength and outchanced the opposition 64-52, though they’ve been outchanced in high-danger attempts 24-22.
The Zibanejad line has been on for three goals 5v5 this season, and three against. Their scoring chances for percentage is 44 percent, worst on the Rangers.
But Laviolette threw them a lifeline.
“Often, I’d say, they draw the tougher matchup,” Laviolette explained. “I think they’re looking for more (offensively), but they talk about it a lot, they watch a lot of video and they’re all kind of students of the game. They want to get better.”
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Rangers going ‘game by game’ as Victor Mancini, Zac Jones battle for spot in lineup
Laviolette also addressed the ever-changing defense pairs. The Rangers will use the fourth different group of pairings in five games when they visit the Washington Capitals on Tuesday.
Rookie Victor Mancini returns to the lineup after he was scratched for the 2-1 win against the Anaheim Ducks on Saturday. He’ll be paired pair with Braden Schneider, who shifts back to his off side, with Mancini on the right. Zac Jones, who skated alongside Schneider on Saturday, will be scratched for the fourth time in five games.
“We’re just going game by game,” Laviolette said.
The coach did admit that Mancini and Jones are battling for a regular spot in the lineup, on the third pair. The versatile Schneider, a right-hand shot, moves from right to left depending upon his partner, and does so without issue.
Mancini has three points (one goals, two assists) in seven games. Jones has one assist in five games. The two began the season as defense partners for four games while Ryan Lindgren was out of the lineup with a jaw injury.
Lindgren and Jacob Trouba are paired together for the second straight game, after Lindgren scored against the Ducks. The K’Andre Miller-Adam Fox pair remains at the top of the depth chart.
“I like it,” Laviolette said about Miller and Fox, who’ve been paired since the start of the season.
