The Rangers shook up their bottom six, a much needed change from the previous iterations, finally separating out a potential tertiary scoring line and an actual shutdown line. Jonny Brodzinski replaces Nick Bonino as the 3C, with Bonino shifting back to 4C and moving Barclay Goodrow to 3RW.
Previous iterations had Bonino in the 3C spot with Goodrow centering the fourth line.
The shake up finally gives the Rangers a true tertiary scoring line to complement the reunited top-six following Kaapo Kakko’s return. Kakko’s return allowed Wheeler to slot back into the 3RW spot, which –with Will Cuylle– was two-thirds of a scoring line. Naturally, Bonino was not the proper fit there.
By moving Brodzinski –who is not a shutdown center– up in the lineup, it gives that third line an offensively minded center, something the line was sorely missing. Plus, with Brodzinski off the fourth line, that line can now resume its normal role as a shutdown line.
Now the fun question: Who sits when Tyler Pitlick is ready to return?
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