VANCOUVER, British Columbia — During a season in which lineup consistency has been hard to come by, no Rangers line has seen more than the fourth.
Despite having three different right wings since the start of the season, Adam Edstrom and Sam Carrick have appeared in all 16 games and been constants on that unit.
After mainly alternating between Jonny Brodzinski and Matt Rempe in that right wing spot through the first five games of the season, the former went on a run in four of five games — the one outlier with Rempe — before Jimmy Vesey came off long-term injured reserve earlier this month.
Vesey has since skated in that spot over the past six games, which has given that line a chance to truly mesh.
New York Rangers left wing Jimmy Vesey (R) skates in front of New York Islanders goaltender Ilya Sorokin (L) in the first period at Madison Square Garden.
“I think it’s been good,” head coach Peter Laviolette said. “It was good when Jonny was on there. [Rempe] had a couple good games, too. But right now, we’ve settled into a routine and that line has been settled in, too. I think they’ve played really well. Your eyeball says they’re doing well, the results for them are going in the right direction, and so we try to leave things alone that are working.”
In 52:48 of ice time, according to Natural Stat Trick, Edstrom, Carrick and Vesey have been on the ice for two Rangers goals and two against.
They’ve broken even in scoring attempts, 23-23, while also holding a 12-7 edge in high-danger chances.
New York Rangers center Adam Edstrom (84) celebrates his goal with right wing Reilly Smith (91) and center Sam Carrick (39) during the third period against the New York Islanders at Madison Square Garden.
There is no official update on Filip Chytil, who is still in New York undergoing further evaluation by doctors, Laviolette said.
The Rangers’ .857 points percentage on the road this season is tied with Vancouver for first in the NHL.
Additionally, the Blueshirts lead the league in goals on the road per game (4.43), goals against per game (1.43) and power-play percentage (37.5).
They have posted three shutouts in away games, while also allowed two goals or fewer in six of their seven contests.
The Rangers’ 18 unique goal scorers is tied for the second most in the NHL.
