The Kids Are Alright
from Luke Fox pf Sportsnet,
New York Rangers fans needn't look any further than across at the opposing bench to be reminded how an impactful third line can swing a series or — heck, why not dream? — a Stanley Cup run.
Yes, the young, cheap trio of Alexis Lafrenière (age 20), Filip Chytil (22), and Kaapo Kakko (20) is growing into the not-so-secret weapon that the Tampa Bay Lightning’s heralded Blake Coleman–Yanni Gourde–Barclay Goodrow triumvirate became during the defending champs’ two-year reign.
Tilt the ice.
Check hard.
Supply great bang for a reasonable buck.
And pop up on the scoreboard.
"That’s why we’re still here. We’re getting scoring from that line," Rangers coach Gerard Gallant told reporters Wednesday, the night his club decisively swiped Game 1 by a score of 6-2.
"If you’re going to advance deep in the playoffs, you need scoring from everybody. And those kids really stepped it up and played good hockey. No doubt."
continued
Game highlights are below....
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