Will Cuylle scores game-winning goal in Rangers' victory over Flames
Will Cuylle #50 of the Rangers celebrates his second period goal against the Calgary Flames at Madison Square Garden on Monday, Feb. 12, 2024. Credit: Jim McIsaac
In six games together, the Rangers’ third line of Kaapo Kakko, Jonny Brodzinski and Will Cuylle has produced a total of six goals — none bigger than the one Cuylle scored in the second period that ended up being the game-winner in a 2-0 win over Calgary on Monday night at Madison Square Garden.
“We’ve been playing well lately,’’ Cuylle said of the line. “I think we complement each other well, and I think we’re just all on the same page and kind of know where we’re going to be out there. So I think we’re just trying to build more and more every game.’’
Cuylle jammed in the rebound of a shot by Kakko, who was sprung for a two-on-one by a pass from Brodzinski. The line was noticeable, even though it didn’t get that much ice time. Brodzinski played 10:09, Cuylle 10:36 and Kakko 11:07.
“I think the line has been good every time we’ve been on the ice,’’ Kakko said. “I think we’ve been doing a good job. We got some chances. It’s the third line. We’re not playing big minutes, but every time we get on the ice, I think something good has been happening.’’
Call-up Edstrom in lineup
Forward Adam Edstrom, called up from AHL Hartford on Saturday night along with forward Matt Rempe, was in the lineup. Rempe, Tyler Pitlick and Zac Jones were the healthy scratches.
“He played a really good game the last time he was up here,’’ Peter Laviolette said of the 23-year-old Edstrom. “He brings size and speed. He’s physical, chipped in [a goal]. He was doing the same thing down in Hartford.’’
For the 6-7, 241-pound Rempe, 21, the call-up to the NHL was the first of his career.
“It’s a dream come true,’’ he said Sunday. “It’s just so much fun being here . . . It’s been awesome.’’
Laviolette OK with Lafreniere hit
Laviolette was asked what he thought of the hit by Alexis Lafreniere on Tampa Bay’s Mikhail Sergachev a week earlier that led to Sergachev suffering a severe knee injury.
“I think there’s a lot of times when two players are going after the same puck, the puck is between the two of them and there’s some contact that’s made,’’ Laviolette said. “I guess at times you can catch somebody if one person is braced a little bit more than the other.’’
Colin Stephenson covers the Rangers for Newsday. He has spent more than two decades covering the NHL and just about every sports team in the New York metropolitan area.
