More kids with strong games as Rangers down Hawks

AP Photo/Andrew A. Nelles

Another game, another strong showing for the kids. J.T. Miller pretty much assured himself a spot on the opening night roster with another strong game. Anthony Duclair looked unreal. Marek Hrivik had a strong game. Oscar Lindberg scored a goal. Cedrick Desjardins played really well in the second half of the game. Conor Allen and Dylan McIlrath, while not exactly stellar, managed to keep Jonathan Toews off the score board. I didn’t turn the game on until mid-second period, so the observations are based off that.

• Spoke with Kevin when I turned the game on, he said Anthony Duclair, at least offensively, looked like he belonged in the NHL. Great instincts, was able to skate with Rick Nash and Derick Brassard. What’s holding him back is his play away from the puck. Honestly, this kid is more hyped than Evgeny Grachev way back when. There’s a long way to go for the kid to develop, and there’s a reason why I brought up Grachev. Not saying Duclair will turn into Grachev, but despite all his skill, he still needs to make it.
• Oscar Lindberg’s goal was a softy, but he got open –which is incredibly important for a kid looking to make the team– and shot the puck through a screen. These are two fundamental aspects of hockey you expect to see from your fourth line, which is where Lindberg is penciled in at the NHL level.
• Ryan Haggerty was a bit invisible, at least from the point where I turned on the game. Remember, he was only kept with the NHL club last year as a negotiating tactic to get him to sign in NY.
• J.T. Miller looked engaged for a second game in a row. He was much more confident with the puck, especially on the powerplay. He also got to the front of the net for the Rangers third goal. It looks like he’s going to make this team.

• While Dylan McIlrath and Conor Allen didn’t really impress, the fact that they weren’t made to look silly by the Hawks, specifically Toews and Hossa, is impressive. Allen is approaching 25, and may be the best option as the 7D at the moment. McIlrath, unless he forces someone out of the lineup from the starters, isn’t making this club. He will be an injury call up though.
• Cedrick Desjardins looked pretty good in his Rangers debut. They may need him when Cam Talbot regresses to more human numbers.
• Lee Stempniak had a solid game as well, playing a good two-way game. He was certainly better than Tanner Glass and Ryan Malone.
• Marek Hrivik had a strong game, even before that fluky goal. That said, he made his own luck with his effort on that goal, diving and swiping at the puck while on the ice.
• Rick Nash played well, and made a pretty nice pass to Duclair for the goal. He’s the most important vet not named Lundqvist this year.
• I thought this was funny, but as I turned the TV on, I watched Dan Girardi get burned for Chicago’s goal. It’s the preseason, but I thought it was funny timing.

The next preseason game is Monday against Wayne “we are out for blood in the preseason” Simmonds and the Flyers. That should be interesting.