GettyImages-465883270

Three Stars of the Week

Quick Hits

  • Dominik Lakatostallied a point in each of Zlin's two games during the week in Czech Extraliga, recording two points (one goal, one assist) in the two contests. The Rangers' sixth round pick (157th overall) in the 2017 NHL Entry Draft extended his point streak to six games (two goals, five assists over the span), and he has registered a point in eight of the last nine games and has tallied nine points (four goals, five assists) over those nine contests. In addition, Lakatos has recorded 17 points (four goals, 13 assists) in 34 games in Czech Extraliga in 2018-19, including 13 points (four goals, nine assists) and a plus-four rating in 17 games with Zlin. Among players younger than 22 years old in the league, Lakatos ranks first in assists, is tied for second in points, and is tied for third in goals this season.
  • Tarmo Reunanentallied an assist and logged 26:29 of ice time on Jan. 10 against SaiPa, and he led all skaters with 26:19 of ice time on Jan. 12 against Karpat. The Rangers' fourth round pick (98th overall) in the 2016 NHL Entry Draft has notched nine points (two goals, seven assists) in the last 12 games, including three assists/points in the last three contests. In addition, Reunanen has logged at least 24:00 of ice time in each of the last 11 games, as well as 25:00 or more of ice time in each of the last seven games and 26:00 or more of ice time in each of the last five contests. Reunanen has tallied 16 points (four goals, 12 assists) and has posted a plus-three rating in 38 games with Lukko in Liiga this season. Among defensemen in Liiga who are younger than 21 years old, he ranks first in goals and points, and is tied for first in assists this season.
  • Nico Grossnotched an assist in Oshawa's game against Peterborough on Jan. 10. The Rangers' fourth round pick (101st overall) in the 2018 NHL Entry Draft has recorded 13 points (three goals, 10 assists) and a plus-13 rating in 33 OHL games with Oshawa this season. Gross has matched his assists total from his first season in the OHL in 2017-18 (33 games played this season, 58 games played in 2017-18), and he is one goal/point away from matching his total in both categories from last season. He ranks fourth on Oshawa - and ranks second among team defensemen - in plus/minus rating in 2018-19.
  • Yegor Rykovtallied an assist and logged 21:15 of ice time on Jan. 11 against Salavat Yulaev. He has registered an assist/point in four of his last seven games (four assists over the span). Among KHL defensemen younger than 22 years old, Rykov is tied for first in assists (five) and is tied for second in points (six) this season. He has averaged 19:21 of ice time per game in 34 KHL games with HC Sochi in 2018-19.
  • Olof Lindbomreturned to Djurgardens' lineup in SuperElit (Sweden junior league) following an injury, and he made 31 saves while appearing in his third game of the season on Jan. 12 against Vaxjo. The Rangers' second round pick (39th overall) in the 2018 NHL Entry Draft was selected as the Best Goaltender at the 2018 IIHF U18 World Championship, as he posted a 1.66 GAA and a .949 SV% in six appearances to help Sweden earn a bronze medal.

Emerging From The Pack

  • Lias Anderssontallied an assist and posted a plus-one rating on Jan. 12 at Bridgeport. The Rangers' first round pick (seventh overall) in the 2017 NHL Entry Draft has registered 15 points (five goals, 10 assists) in 21 AHL games with the Wolf Pack this season. In addition, Andersson ranks fourth on Hartford in points per game this season (0.71).
  • Ville Meskanentallied a goal on Jan. 11 at Providence. He has registered six points (two goals, four assists) and a plus-four rating over the last six games. Meskanen has tallied a point in eight of the last 12 games and has registered 10 points (three goals, seven assists) over the span. Meskanen has also registered 19 points (seven goals, 12 assists) in the last 25 games and 25 points (nine goals, 16 assists) in 39 games with Hartford in his first season in the AHL in 2018-19. Meskanen is tied for second on the Wolf Pack in assists and points, and is tied for fourth on the team in goals this season. In addition, Meskanen is tied for eighth among AHL rookies in points in 2018-19.
  • Gabriel Fontainerecorded two points (one goal, one assist), including a shorthanded goal, led all skaters with five shots on goal, and was selected as the game's First Star in Hartford's win on Jan. 12 at Bridgeport. The Rangers' sixth round pick (171st overall) in the 2016 NHL Entry Draft has registered five points (three goals, two assists) in the last seven games and seven points (four goals, three assists) in the last 11 contests. Fontaine is tied for third on the Wolf Pack in plus/minus rating this season (plus-seven), and he also leads the team in shorthanded goals in 2018-19 (two). Fontaine, who is playing in his second AHL season in 2018-19, has already matched his assists total from his rookie year (nine assists in 36 games this season; nine assists in 68 games in 2017-18).*
  • Vinni Lettieritallied an assist on Jan. 11 at Providence. Lettieri has recorded 20 points (eight goals, 12 assists) in 20 AHL games with the Wolf Pack this season, and he ranks second on the Wolf Pack in points per game in 2018-19 (1.00). He has notched a point in seven of the last 10 games and has recorded 10 points (three goals, seven assists) over the span.*
  • Tim Gettingerrecorded a point in both of Hartford's games during the past week (one goal, one assist), and he posted a plus-two rating on Jan. 12 at Bridgeport. The Rangers' fifth round pick (141st overall) in the 2016 NHL Entry Draft has registered a point in three of his last six games (two goals, one assist), and he has tallied 16 points (nine goals, seven assists) in 31 games with the Wolf Pack this season. Gettinger is tied for fourth on the Wolf Pack in goals in 2018-19.
  • Ryan Lindgrenposted a plus-two rating in each of Hartford's two games during the past week. The 20-year-old has posted a plus/minus rating of even or better in 10 of the last 11 games - including a plus-one rating or better in seven of those games - and he has posted a plus-eight rating in the last 11 contests. Lindgren has registered five assists/points, along with a plus-seven rating and 41 penalty minutes in 35 games thus far this season. Among AHL defensemen younger than 21 years old in 2018-19, Lindgren ranks first in penalty minutes and is tied for fifth in plus/minus rating.

Quotebook

"I've been very impressed with the maturity that he's shown. He plays a real physical style, does a good job with the details of his game, finding sticks in front of the net, boxing out for the ability for our goaltenders to see shots coming through from the point … I hate to use the term 'old-school defenseman', but that's exactly what Ryan is, in a good way. He plays that physical game, with some sandpaper, on the back end, and just watching the opposition on how they dislike having to play against him, is something that has been noticeable for the coaching staff. We really like where his game's at right now." - Hartford Wolf Pack Head Coach Keith McCambridge on Ryan Lindgren