Jonny Brodzinski ‘getting better every game’ for Rangers
Jonny Brodzinski continued to fill in capably for the injured Filip Chytil, when the New York Rangers skated to a 4-3 win in Vancouver against the Canucks on Tuesday.
The 31-year-old picked up an assist, was plus-2 and won seven of nine face-offs, centering the third line with wings Will Cuylle and Kaapo Kakko. It was a stronger showing for all three after a quieter game Sunday, when the Rangers shut out the Seattle Kraken 2-0.
These two games are the first for Brodzinski after sitting out six games as a healthy scratch. But he’s fit right in with Cuylle and Kakko.
The third line had out-scored opponents 11-0 at 5v5 prior to Chytil’s injury, and Brodzinski has allowed the line to proceed business as usual, outscoring the opposition 3-0 the past two games.
“I think he’s gotten better every game he’s played,” Rangers coach Peter Laviolette said postgame. “When you’re out that long, even though he was practicing every day, there’ a difference between that and playing games and game shape and feeling the game. For the time that he’s been in there, he seems to get better every period. I think more time will be good for him.”
How much time is up in the air for Brodzinski. After it was determined that Chytil did not sustain a concussion last Thursday against the San Jose Sharks, his timeline to return from an upper-body injury came more into focus. Chytil joins the Rangers in Calgary, the third stop of their four game road trip, with the next game against the Flames on Thursday.
That being said, it is unlikely that Chytil plays against the Flames. Chytil rejoined the team on Wednesday, but the Rangers are not practicing. Laviolette is not likely to throw Chytil back into the lineup without at least one or two practices. And besides, there’s no reason to rush him back with how well Brodzinski has played.
Related: 3 Rangers takeaways from all-around solid 4-3 road win against Canucks
Third line ‘hasn’t missed a beat’ with Jonny Brodzinski filling in
Against Vancouver, Brodzinski had a great secondary assist, carrying the puck into the offensive zone on left wing and firing a bullet of a pass across the ice to Cuylle, who made the play to the front of the net for Kakko to cash in the second-period goal.
“Jonny adds a different element,” defenseman Adam Fox said. “He has that speed that (Chytil) has also. He’s a good player. He’s a guy that we’ve relied on to kind of plug in, one through four, he’s played all over. He could shoot a puck, smart player, and I think the coaches really trust him when he’s on the ice so he’s definitely stepped in and that line hasn’t missed a beat.”
This isn’t new territory for Brodzinski. He played an NHL career-high 57 games last season, largely on the third line when Chytil missed most of the season with an upper-body injury.
“I think it’s been pretty good,” Kakko explained. “We played together last year also, so we kind of know what to do out there. I think a couple pretty good games.”
Both Kakko and Cuylle had a goal and an assist against the Canucks, teaming with Brodzinski for a five-point game. Kakko and Cuylle each registered an assist on Zac Jones’ goal against the Kraken as well, making for seven points in the past two games for the trio.
Not only has the third line produced offense, but the forwards continue to play exceptional defense as well. Cuylle is currently tied for the team lead in plus/minus rating with Braden Schneider, both at plus-14, and Kakko is right behind them at plus-12. Cuylle and Schneider are tied for the fourth-best plus/minus in the NHL. Brodzinski, who has played only nine games, is plus-five.
On Tuesday, Cuylle, Brodzinski and Kakko had an xGF of 58.59 percent, per Natural Stat Trick. That’s not dissimilar to what it typically looks like when Chytil is playing center and Brodzinski is watching in the press box. That’s a credit to all three players, though a tip of the hat to Brodzinski for keeping the train moving in the right direction.
It’s important to have quality depth on the roster. Brodzinski is again showing why the Rangers can feel comfortable with their depth players.
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