The New York Rangers offense has had a strange season up to this point.
Sometimes, they are firing on all cylinders where they get a lot of pucks to the net, score a bunch of goals, and come through when the team needs them the most. Other times, they look completely lost and focused on trying to make the perfect play instead of keeping things simple.
With that said, there has been one aspect of the team’s offense all season long. That would be the club’s second line consisting of Artemi Panarin, Vincent Trocheck, and Alexis Lafreniere.
A perfect example of this was their play in the team’s 6-5 overtime victory over the New York Islanders at MetLife Stadium on Sunday afternoon, February 19th, as part of the league’s Stadium Series. For starters, they all produced.
On Sunday afternoon, the line combined for eight points. Panarin had three (one goal and two assists), Trocheck had three (two goals and one assist), and Lafreniere had two (two assists).
Trocheck, 30, was a huge factor in the game as both of his goals came at crucial points for the team. With the team down 4-1, Trocheck’s two goals cut the lead to 4-3 and breathed life back into the Blueshirts.
Panarin, 32, made an even bigger impact than Trocheck in Sunday’s tilt. One of his two assists helped bring the Rangers to tie the score at 5-5 after being down 5-3, and then he scored the overtime-winning goal just ten seconds into the extra frame.
Lafreniere, 22, was his usual self. That means he hustled, got in on the forecheck, created scoring chances, put pucks on the net (three shots) on goal, and contributed offensively (two assists).
Producing has been nothing new for this line this year. These three have combined for 158 points this season, and there should be plenty of more on the way for this trio.
Panarin currently leads the team in goals (32), assists (42), points (74), and shots (205). Given how great he has been for the Blueshirts this season, he should be one of the nominees for the Hart Memorial Trophy which is given to the league’s most valuable player during the regular season.
Trocheck is having another solid season for the Blueshirts in his second year with the club. He is currently fourth on the club in scoring with 51 points on 18 goals and 33 assists while also currently leading the league in faceoff percentage as he has won 61.2 percent of the draws as he has taken so far this season.
Lafreniere has taken a big step this season in terms of consistency thanks to head coach Peter Laviolette putting him in the top six. He currently has 33 points on 14 goals and 19 assists, but he should have more because he generates and is involved in many scoring opportunities in almost every game.
A big reason why this line produces is because they are not afraid to shoot the puck. The line has combined to take 488 shots this season, and they are a threat to put the puck in the net every time they step on the ice.
Lastly, it is clear that they are very comfortable playing with each other. They seem to know where each other are going to be on the ice at all times, and they are all in roles that have optimized each of the players’ success this season.
With this line playing well ever since being put together in November, it is going to be interesting to see how dangerous they will be come mid-April when it is time for the Stanley Cup playoffs.
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