Chytil out again for Brodshitski who adds nothing to this teams Tempe should be in there tonight especially at the garden. Wake up lavs!
Brodzinsky played well last game and his line actually played well. The reason they lost was the stars were lazy in the first period and Panarin was atrocious all game.
Rempe adds nothing to this team in this series. He's barely playing 5 minutes a game. His line can't even keep the puck in the other teams zone when he's out there. Now next series if they can finish off Carolina, with that scumbag Bennett out there, he might be needed.
This is the game for the Rangers, need to close out it tonight. Anything beyond tonight and the Canes have life and definitely momentum. The Panthers most likely will end their series in 5 games tomorrow night, so to stay level with them on rest we need to end this tonight, not to mention the extra wear and tear if they have to play a game 6 (and maybe 7). If it goes beyond tonight the Canes can certainly win the series, and we do not want to be put in that position. Need to get the job done tonight, and I expect they will. If it were me, I'd play Rempe over Brod, because I just don't see any value added by Brod, but again I am not going to make a huge issue over the 12th forward. The Rangers will not win or lose due to the 12th forward IMO.
The Rangers got some much-needed good news Monday morning. After missing Game 4, Filip Chytil participated in the morning skate ahead of Game 5 against the Hurricanes. Blake Wheeler was also a full-contact participant for the first time, having worn a red no-contact jersey prior. Filip Chytil is on the ice for the Rangers morning skate. Peter Laviolette told me yesterday that Chytil was feeling better. He missed Game 4 because of an illness. In addition, Blake Wheeler is no longer in a red noncontact jersey. Peter Laviolette was noncommittal, but it certainly looks like Filip Chytil won't play tonight. He didn't skate with any of the top four lines when they did rushes. He stayed on the ice with the scratches to get extra work.
Both Chytil and Wheeler skated today, makes me think either/both could be back next game, especially if next game isn't until game 1 against Florida this coming weekend or early next week.
So what are the bottom-two lines if Brodzinsky is in? Didn't both Brodzinsky and Cuylle play in Game 4? Is Chytil back in the lineup? I'd also prefer to have Rempe out there even though I have no complaints about Brodzinsky. I think Cuylle has been solid as well. I'm not a big fan of making changes for the sake of making changes in most areas in my life to begin with. If something is working, it doesn't need to be changed. I'd rather see Rempe out there in a Game 5 with a chance to end the series at home instead of a Game 7.
If this were game 7, I’d prefer Brodzinski over Rempe, but as it’s only game 5, Rempe is the play. Brodzinski gave Carolina a momentum surge right after we tied the game by skating into a big hip check and going ass over teakettle. It gave life to a crowd and team that was playing nervous up until that point. Regardless, if we come out flat again it won’t matter who we play. Also, Trouba is a problem. He’s been on for 7 straight goals against in this series. That’s crazy for one dman to be on the ice for that many STRAIGHT goals.
Cuylle/Wennberg/Kakko AND Goodrow/Brod/Vesey - that is what I think the bottom two lines will look like, same as game 4. Then hopefully next game we'll get back Chytil and/or Wheeler (Wheeler may need until a potential game 7 or the ECF since he just was cleared for full contact). Yup, Trouba has been on for 7 straight Carolina goals. He is really playing awful right now.
Chytil looks again like he’s finished shame. The kid was on track to be a really good player. Wheeler might be good against Florida. They could use some more size, but first they got to beat this team which won’t be easy.
I am not ready to say that about Chytil. Not saying that won't be the case, but based on what I have read today, and that he practiced, it could be something else unrelated and not a major issue after today. I do agree first and only focus right now should be beating the Canes, period, and that won't be easy. After missing the Rangers 4-3 loss to the Carolina Hurricanes in Game 4 of their second-round series on Saturday due to illness, it was a sigh of relief to see Filip Chytil return to the ice for Monday's morning skate at the MSG Training Center. That alleviated some concern that him not feeling well was related to his history of concussions, which has already cost him over six months this season, but he may not be completely out of the woods with whatever it is he's dealing with. All signs in advance of Game 5, which will be played at 7 p.m. at Madison Square Garden, are that the 24-year-old Czech will not be a part of Monday's lineup. He did not skate with any of the Rangers' regular forward lines and stayed on late to do bag skates with the rest of the expected scratches. Head coach Peter Laviolette has remained vague about Chytil's status and the specifics of his illness, but sound encouraged about seeing him back on the ice. "He practiced this morning," Laviolette said. "That's a real positive thing for our team. I’m going to keep any lineup decisions that I make to myself." Chytil didn't skate with any of New York's four lines in advance of his return for game 3 on Thursday, either, leaving open the possibility that the Rangers are once again hiding their plans from the back-against-the-wall Hurricanes, who trail 3-1 in the series. But a key difference is that he didn't stay on as late for extra work with the reserves that day, whereas he was still skating with them as the media left the locker room Monday morning.
Wheeler, who has been practicing with the Rangers for days in a red no-contact jersey, has been cleared for contact and joined his teammates in a regular sweater at morning skate, according to NHL.com’s Dan Rosen. “It’s really good,” Rangers bench boss Peter Laviolette said after the light practice. “That’s a long road and sometimes it’s a lonely road too. We’re going about our business and he’s off in a different room doing his thing at different times. You saw his enthusiasm the other night there on the OT goal; he just wants to get back on the inside and be a part of that. It’s nice to have him out there and available and good to go full.” It looks like Wheeler could be an option as soon as Game 6 at PNC Arena — if the series gets that far — but the veteran will just be hoping his teammates can close out an excellent Hurricanes team in front of the home crowd on Monday night. “Everybody was out there for practice this morning, and that’s a real positive for our team,” Laviolette continued. “I’ll keep any lineup decisions I make to myself.”
Even if only Wheeler makes it back for the next game, that is still a plus as he is better than Brod or Rempe, so adding him on the 3rd line and bumping Cuylle down or putting Wheeler on the 4th line makes the team better.
I know everyone will be shocked by this, but the Canes are once again the favorite tonight. Cannot make it up, add to the list of fuel for the game Rangers.
