[Mercogliano] Gallant said he showed the whole team clips of how the Kid Line has been playing lately, using them as a positive example for the group: “The guys really looked at the way the kids played last game and said, ‘You know what? They did some real good things down low.’” #NYR
Gallant said he showed the whole team clips of how the Kid Line has been playing lately, using them as a positive example for the group:
"The guys really looked at the way the kids played last game and said, ‘You know what? They did some real good things down low.’"#NYR
— Vince Z. Mercogliano (@vzmercogliano) April 4, 2023
by NYR_or_Far
7 Comments
That is worrisome 😅
One thing I noticed the kids do well is crash the net, while the other lines tip toe around it. We’ve seen many times these last few games the kid line just going all in on the goalie, getting 1, 2, or even 3 shots on goal in the span of a few seconds. Chytil shoots on the rush, Laf tries to rebound it in, and if it fails Kakko tries to bang it in from the side (or different versions of it). It’s what is working well for them I believe, and what the rest of the team needs to do more (imo).
Edit: I’ll also add that their chemistry is unparalleled, and I suppose 3 years of playing together and even growing together does that. They always know where the other ones are, and what they can do at all times. Our top two lines have so much talent but almost seem a bit more lost out there. Intercepted passes, passes that aren’t reachable, failure to keep it in at the blue line, generally just quite milquetoast positioning overall.
Damn kids with their music
The kid line is such an enigma. I think Chytl and Laffy especially are at a place where if they’re on 2/3 of other teams in this league they’re viewed as a top 6 player focusing almost only on scoring.
But in New York, they’re having to play as 3rd line grinder….which they’re doing INCREDIBLY well. But it then lowers the point totals of all 3.
They are going to be an absolute handful for playoff opponents’ bottom 6 guys.
I’m glad that GG finally realized and giving the kid line recognition. Only took about a year.
They need to be the second line and soon if this postseason doesn’t go well. Weed out the guys in the top six who don’t crash the net, shoot, or back check.