Rangers Roundup: New PP units, injury updates, and more
The New York Rangers hit the ice for a full practice making it the first time Patrick Kane has skated with his new team not under pressure from an opponent.
“It’s definitely nice to get out there and practice. I haven’t even had a morning skate with the team yet,” Kane explained. “My last practice in Chicago was two weeks ago. You need to get back into it… Happy to be here. Just trying to find my way to fit in.”
Kane has played just two games with the Blueshirts since being acquired and will be looking for his first point when they take on the Canadiens in Montreal on Thursday.
New York Rangers PP Units
When the Rangers took to the ice on Tuesday, there were some familiar faces but also some brand new power play units.
Per multiple reports, the Blueshirts new units are as follows:
PP1: Adam Fox, Artemi Panarin, Patrick Kane, Vincent Trocheck, Alexis Lafreniere
PP2: Jacob Trouba, Mika Zibanejad, Vladimir Tarasenko, Filip Chytil, Chris Kreider
“Switch them up a little bit. Hopefully get some chemistry and success,” Gerard Gallant said. “It does make it a little easier that (some of the guys) are in lines. If they shoot the puck more it’ll make it easier for us.”
The biggest takeaway was getting Mika Zibanejad back in his office on the left side for his lethal one-timer that’s produced 19 power play goals.
“When I saw Mika in the bumper spot in the middle and he had a chance to shoot puck and he passed it (in Boston), I said, ‘We’ve got to change,’ We had to put him back where he was successful.”
At the end of the day, the Rangers coach is trying find the right mix but has full confidence that they’ll be fine.
“There’s a lot of skill and a lot of talent,” Gallant concluded. “There’s no reason why it wouldn’t work well but we’ve got to give them some time too.”
The challenge will be spreading the ice time so that both units are happy. That issue aside, have two potentially lethal unit that can offer different looks should be a huge advantage come postseason action.
Rangers injury updates
The New York Rangers made an emergency call up with forward Jonny Brodzinski indicating that Tyler Motte is still not ready.
Motte was injured on a high hit to the head by the Ottawa Senators’ Austin Watson last Thursday and missed the game against the Bruins on Sunday. He was on the ice in a non-contact jersey with the team yesterday.
Meanwhile, Ryan Lindgren skated on his own and is expected to miss his fifth straight game after injuring his shoulder against the Washington Capitals on February 25.
“They’re both day-to-day,” Gallant noted. “They’re both skating and Motter had a good day today. He lasted the whole practice and Lindy skated by himself. We’re moving in the right direction but I can’t say next game or not. Maybe I’ll know a little more tomorrow.”
One player that’s returning to the lineup after serving his suspension for spitting on the Kings’ Drew Doughty is defenseman K’Andre Miler.
“A complete accident and it’s unfortunate that it happened,” Miller explained. “It’s a disgusting habit that I’m assuming a lot of athletes have in general. People are going to have impressions (of me)… All my friends, family, and the guys in this room know the type of person I am. The guy that got kicked out of the game against L.A. is not the type of player or person that I am.”
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