The Rangers staged a dramatic comeback on Monday night, mounting a three goal third against St. Louis for the regulation win. They, of course, were awful before that, and it was really Jordan Binnington’s heroics that the Rangers were able to pull off the win. They temporarily saved Gallant’s job.
But now, Gallant changed up the lines after a win, something he swears he doesn’t do, which of course means Vitali Kravtsov is sitting. And before you say Kravtsov is bad, remember this:
Interesting stats on Vitali Kravtsov through 10 games played. His 57.63% xGF is strong, but his actual goal rates are even better.
The #NYR are averaging 3.56 goals per 60 at 5v5 with him on the ice and allowing only 1.16. That 75.42% margin is best on the team.
— Vince Z. Mercogliano (@vzmercogliano) December 7, 2022
So right away, the Rangers are handicapping themselves by taking out one of the few players that generates sustained offense on a team starved for offense. They then double down by putting a guy who doesn’t belong in the top six in that spot. It’s infuriating.
Binnington saved Gallant’s job on Monday. Vegas without Jack Eichel and Alex Pietrangelo may actually save it for another day. Is that enough?
Vegas Lines
Paul Cotter-Colin Stephenson-Mark Stone
Reilly Smith-William Karlsson-Jonathan Marchessault
Jonas Rondbjerg-Nicholas Roy-Phil Kessel
William Carrier-Jake Leschyshyn-Keegan Kolesar
Alec Martinez-Zach Whitecloud
Brayden McNabb-Shea Theodore
Nicolas Hague-Danil Miromanov
Logan Thompson gets the start.
Rangers Lines
Alexis Lafreniere-Mika Zibanejad-Kaapo Kakko
Artemiy Panarin-Filip Chytil-Barclay Goodrow
Chris Kreider-Vincent Trocheck-Jimmy Vesey
Sammy Blais-Johnny Brodzinski-Julien Gauthier
Ryan Lindgren-Adam Fox
K’Andre Miller-Braden Schneider
Libor Hajek-Jacob Trouba
Igor Shesterkin gets the start.
Injuries: None
Crazy Prediction: The Rangers trade Vitali Kravtsov because honestly, this isn’t fair to him.
Game time is 10pm.
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