Why difficult to judge Rangers 3rd line without injured Filip Chytil against Kraken
For the first time this season, the New York Rangers played a game without Filip Chytil. And though they defeated the Seattle Kraken 2-0 on Sunday, it was not easy to assess exactly how the third line fared without its injured center.
Chytil was back home in New York being evaluated for an upper-body injury. The 25-year-old was hurt in a collision with teammate K’Andre Miller in a 3-2 win against the San Sharks on Thursday. Though the Rangers have not specified the nature of the injury, it’s feared that Chytil could’ve sustained another concussion.
So, Jonny Brodzinski slotted onto the third line with wings Will Cuylle and Kaapo Kakko. The line didn’t generate much — out-shot 8-4 and out-chanced 6-2. Their xGF was a pedestrian 34.2 percent, per Natural Stat Trick.
Those numbers are well below what they looked like with Chytil centering the third line through the first 15 games this season. Cuylle, Chytil and Kakko have an xGF of 65.29 percent when on ice together this season.
But with Brodzinski out there instead, the third line continued to do something it’s done all season. That’s outscore the opposition.
Each forward was on the ice when Zac Jones scored off the rush on a left-circle snipe at 2:58 of the third period to make it 2-0 Sunday. Kakko picked up the primary assist, with a touch pass to Jones, and Cuylle had the secondary helper.
The third line outscored the Kraken when on the ice 1-0 Sunday. With Chytil in the lineup, that trip has outscored opponents 11-0.
So, wash, rinse, repeat for the third liners. They kept their roll going with Brodzinski in that important area.
But it’s not that simple evaluating the third line’s play with Brodzinski against the Kraken.
Related: 3 Rangers takeaways from 2-0 win against Kraken
‘Low-event’ game makes it difficult to analyze Jonny Brodzinski’s impact on Rangers
It’s fair to say that there wasn’t a lot going on in the game Sunday. Rangers coach Peter Laviolette called it a “low-event game.” And it was.
The Rangers traveled cross country the day before and the Kraken played 24 hours prior. Neither team had a lot of zip to its game, and each played well defensively. When called upon, goalie Jonathan Quick was the difference maker for New York.
Outside of the Artemi Panarin – Vincent Trocheck – ALexis Lafreniere line, which scored one goal (by Lafreniere) and had a 54.99 xGF percentage, the Rangers forward line combinations didn’t muster a lot to get excited about. And that included the third line.
“It didn’t have a real attacking mindset to it on either side,” Laviolette said postgame.
That should change Tuesday, when the Rangers visit the Vancouver Canucks. This will be a stiffer test, a step up against a quality opponent. Plus, the Rangers will be better adjusted to the time change and less weary from the extended travel.
Make no mistake, Laviolette would love to see more of the same defensively from each of his lines and defense pairs after a strong showing Sunday. But it’ll be interesting to see if that Brodzinski line can get going more on the offensive side against the Canucks.
Before the trip west, Laviolette was firm in his belief that Brodzinski — who has two points (goal, assist) in eight games this season — can ably fill in for the injured Chytil.
“I think that spot’s a good fit for him,” Laviolette said Saturday. “He’s played there before. He’s done that. I think he’s real comfortable here now.”
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