NOTES: Are Deadline Calculations Changing?
When Kaapo Kakko dropped out of the line-up last month, an already weak position on the right wing got suddenly moreso. The thought was, that the Rangers needed another top six winger to make a serious run this year at a Stanley Cup, capitalizing on career form from Igor Shesterkin, as well as Chris Kreider.
As everyone knows, the Rangers ability to score at 5v5 has been underwhelming this year, instead relying on a potent power play lead by Kreider and Mika Zibanejad, and the goaltending of Shesterkin to keep the team in the contest. This approach to winning would be hard to sustain in the playoffs, where a reliance on third and even fourth lines to contribute, is the hallmark of most successful teams.