Rangers at Blackhawks: Three to watch

Can Yandle improve the Rangers middling powerplay?

The Rangers head to Chicago tonight for their season opener while having the ‘pleasure’ of the Blackhawks Stanley Cup banner raising ceremony. The Rangers and the ‘Hawks have both undergone significant roster change – perhaps highlighted by Antti Raanta who headed from Chicago to New York to replace Cam Talbot. With tonight’s game an immediate test of how ready the Rangers are for the new season, let’s take a look at three Rangers players who could play a critical role tonight.

Kevin Hayes

Anytime the Rangers head to Chicago to play the ‘Hawks Kevin Hayes will be a focal point given how he was drafted by the Hawks then walked away from the team. Hayes will be one to watch tonight firstly to see how he acclimatises to his new top six right wing role, a position he rarely played last season. In two games last season Hayes went pointless against Chicago but he’ll be counted on from the get-go this season as the Rangers look for more secondary scoring.

The new Kreider – Stepan – Hayes line boasts a ton of size and playmaking ability but could see a lot of Patrick Kane tonight as Kane starts on the second line with former Ranger Artem Anisimov. How the Stepan line copes with Kane and co. will be a huge factor in the Rangers ability to leave Chicago with a season opening win.

Mats Zuccarello

Speaking of secondary scoring; the Rangers will only contend this season if the group of players who carried injuries through the end of last season can rediscover their best form – that group includes Mats Zuccarello. Zuccarello will be playing his first meaningful game since sitting out the end of the last season and his first game proper since April 24^th – almost six months ago. Despite a promising preseason showing, there could be rust for Zuke to shake off.

Zuccarello’s playmaking ability will be critical to the Rangers this season both at even strength and as the team try and (finally) develop an effective powerplay. An in-form Zuccarello benefits the Rangers in so many ways including how he drives possession and with the Hawks (53% Corsi in ‘14/15) one of the league’s best possession teams last season, Zuccarello will be much needed as the Rangers try and cope with possession beats such as Jonathan Toews and Kane.

Keith Yandle

Keith Yandle finally started to justify his acquisition as the Rangers progressed through the playoffs last season. Yandle took time to adjust to Alain Vigneault’s up-tempo system then was restricted by a nagging injury during the playoffs, just as he finally seemed comfortable as a Ranger.

The Rangers brought Yandle in to run their powerplay and he’ll be under the microscope this season from the get-go. Surprisingly the Blackhawks ran a mediocre powerplay last year (much like the Rangers) while the Rangers had the superior penalty kill all year. Tonight’s game could be decided by special teams and if it is, Yandle could have a big influence from the blueline.