Ruminating on the Rangers Game

Dalton Prout

Well, the Rangers went out of their way last night to prove my point in the last post.  They loaded up a speed line against the Prout-Harrington pair to the extent that Brad Shaw had to juggle the pairings.  Dalton Prout is a stout, physical defender, but can't keep up with the speed of some teams.  I don't intend for this to be a Prout bashing session. He has done what he can with the limited ice time he has had this year.  But I would like to point out that if we end up in a playoff series against one of those big heavy teams, like Boston or San Jose, that we seem to struggle with, we may find Prout and Harrington coming to the fore.

Actually, for a guy with darn few NHL games, Harrington has played credibly.  Paired with Seth Jones last night after the pairs juggling by Shaw he acquitted himself well.  And, even though the Rangers loaded up on the Prout-Harrington pair, and pinned them deep a few times in the first period, the Rangers still didn't score.  In the third period outburst by the Rangers, the Jackets got pinned deep by feeble attempts to clear the puck.  That is something that is correctable.  But these Rangers games are going to turn my hair gray before the season is over.  No lead is safe.  Yeesh.

On the great news front, according to Twitter, Markus Nutivaara skated before practice today, then stuck around for the whole practice.  It may be a bit until he is ready to go, but having him back in the lineup would be a big plus.  Who plays the right side on the third pairing is somewhat in question, but that will become clear in time.

It was great to see the Jackets get back in the win column, even though it was a bit hair raising at times.  Next stop Pittsburgh, which should be an interesting measuring stick to see where we are, and how rough this is going to be down the stretch.

GO JACKETS!!
GO MONSTERS!!