Rebuilt Rangers top line is spurring a post-Olympics hot streak
NY Post
The Rangers reconvened after the Olympic stoppage wanting to find some successful combinations that had been largely absent through much of a disappointing last-place season.
Head coach Mike Sullivan seemingly has found one that works with the hot play out of the break of the unit with Mika Zibanejad centering inconsistent winger Alexis Lafrenière and rookie Gabe Perreault.
That trio has combined for seven goals and seven assists over back-to-back wins over the Flyers and the Flames entering Thursday’s game in Winnipeg.
“I think Mika’s line as it’s been the last handful of games has been really good,” Sullivan said after Tuesday’s 4-0 win over Calgary at MSG.
“Those guys, they all have really good offensive instincts. They’re a little bit different in how they play, but I think that’s been a little bit complementary.”
With leading scorer Artemi Panarin dealt to the Kings before the Olympic break and captain J.T. Miller presently on injured reserve, Sullivan has been forced to try different top six combinations up front.
SALT LAKE CITY — Leon Rose tried to address the bench in the summer. It didn’t work. He got a redo at the trade deadline with Jose Alvarado and Jeremy Sochan.
If Isaiah Likely was the most … er … likely former Raven to follow head coach John Harbaugh to the Giants, Patrick Ricard wasn’t far behind.
The deal that brought Aidan Thompson to the Rangers didn’t create the ripple effects that the Artemi Panarin trade did because of who departed the organization. That was only Derrick Pouliot, a 32-year-old defenseman more than two years removed from his last NHL game. It didn’t create the waves like one for, say, Vincent Trocheck, would have because of current NHL players or draft capital the Blueshirts received in return, either.
PORT ST. LUCIE — Jacob Reimer speaks of his first major league camp experience with the enthusiasm of a young player confident in his abilities.
This isn’t Mark Messier returning to the Rangers after three seasons in Vancouver.
After waiting 15 years to have a lottery pick, the Nets saw Egor Dëmin’s rookie campaign cut short, shut down early by increased plantar fasciitis in his left foot.
Lakers star Luka Doncic was fined $50,000 for directing an “inappropriate and unprofessional gesture toward a game official” during Sunday’s win over the Knicks, the NBA announced on Tuesday.
Travis Kelce didn’t look far for inspiration when he pondered a return for a 14th NFL season.
LOS ANGELES — A day earlier, coach Mike Brown made an impassioned plea to his players to take care of the ball.
The Dolphins thanked Tua for his service and welcomed Willis.
PHILADELPHIA — Wins like this have been a rarity for the Rangers as of late.
TAMPA — There are players who overhaul mechanics during an offseason or spring training and then cram in every at-bat or inning they can, determined to feel comfortable before the games actually matter.
Daniel Jones received $40 million per season with the Giants.