Rangers reinforcements as Copp, Kakko, and Chytil are game-time decisions
The New York Rangers practice today had some refreshing and familiar faces.
Andrew Copp, Kaapo Kakko, and Filip Chytil were all skating today. Per head coach Gerard Gallant all three will be a game-time decision against the Carolina Hurricanes on Tuesday night at Madison Square Garden.
This season, the Rangers have lost 213 man power games to injury with Sammy Blais leading the list at 65 and counting. Blais was lost to a torn ACL after a collision with New Jersey Devils defenseman P.K. Subban early in the season (October).
Man Power Games Lost to Injury
- Sammy Blais 65
- Kaapo Kakko 38
- Kevin Rooney 21
- Filip Chytil 12
- Igor Shesterkin 11
- Ryan Strome 8
- Tyler Motte 7
- Ryan Reaves 7
- Greg McGegg 6
- Artemi Panarin 5
- Patrik Nemeth 4
- Dryden Hunt 4
- Nils Lundkvist 4
- Jarred Tinordi 4
- Adam Fox 3
- Ryan Lindgren 3
- Barclay Goodrow 3
- Julien Gauthier 3
- Alexis Lafreniere 2
- Alexandar Georgiev 2
- Andrew Copp 1
Note: Injury log information provided by the New York Rangers
Copp, Kakko, and Chytil injury update
Copp, 27, took his last shift in the third period of the Blueshirts’ 6-3 triumph over the Islanders last Thursday where he recorded a natural hat trick. He seemed to skate off with no discernible issues.
This season, the pending UFA has registered a point in 13 of the 15 games he’s played since being acquired by the Rangers at the deadline on March 21. For the year, Copp has 53 points in 71 games with 18 of those coming with the Blueshirts.
Kakko, 21, last played against the Detroit Red Wings on April 16. In that game he suffered an injury in the first period while skating along the left wall and getting tied up with Tyler Bertuzzi. Crashing into the boards, he fell awkwardly onto his right leg.
This has really been a difficult season for Kakko as he’s already had two stints on the injured list causing him to miss 35 games. He’s now missed the last three games to bring his total up to 38. Kakko has 7 goals and 16 points in 40 games this year.
Chytil, 22, was also lost in the third agains the Islanders after an apparent cross check to the back. This year, he’s amassed 21 points in 64 contests. His career high is 23 points, which he’s hit twice. The last time being in the 2019-20 season.
Per USA Today’s Vince Mercogliano, Kakko looked unlikely for tomorrow. He skated as an extra on the third line that featured Filip Chytil, Alexis Lafreniere, and Barclay Goodrow
It also looks like Patrik Nemeth and Braden Schneider will be the third pair for the game against the Canes.
New York Rangers first-place scenarios
The New York Rangers (108 points) still have a path to first pace despite being 4 points back of the Carolina Hurricanes (112 points) but it’s going to take some help. To be clear, the Rangers must win on Tuesday in their head-to-head matchup for the following scenarios to be possible.
Scenario 1: Rangers beat Hurricanes in regulation
- Hurricanes lose last game to Devils in regulation, Rangers need three points against Canadiens and Capitals to take the division title.
- Hurricanes lose in OT or SO to Devils, Rangers need all four points versus the Canadiens and Capitals to finish first in Metro.
Scenario 2: Rangers beat Hurricanes in OT or SO
- Hurricanes must lose to Devils in regulation, Rangers need to beat both the Canadiens and Capitals to win division.
Per MoneyPuck, they have the New York Rangers with a 93.5% chance of finishing second. They also have the Washington Capitals with a 67.5% of finishing third in the Metro which would be a first round matchup.
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