Rangers' Focus Dials Up as August 1st Creeps Closer

The clock is really starting to tick, but the Rangers will continue to focus on themselves as they prepare for their qualifying round series vs. the Hurricanes.
That mindset is what led them success pre-pause, and as they prepare for this abnormal postseason, focusing on what they can control will only continue to help their cause.
"I think one of the things that they're only really focusing on is how well we're playing and how hard we're practicing," said Head Coach David Quinn following Thursday's skate at MSG Training Center. "I think they're oblivious to all the other stuff going on and not letting that stuff get in the way of what the task is at hand, which is to continue to get better every day after going through a difficult stretch here the last four months, where guys have been limited in what they can and can't do. So I think the focus is really about coming here every day, getting better, working as hard as possible, making sure we're staying healthy, and building our mental and physical conditioning so we're ready to go on the 1st."

As August 1st gets closer, the team is starting to think, at least a little bit, about what it will be like to play in this format - the structure of it, the fact that there won't be any fans, the fact that none of it will take place within the confines of their home arena.
And the fact that it's the postseason.
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"We've never been in a situation like this, but I'd imagine it's going to be quite a jump and that there are going to be a lot of nerves and a lot of butterflies," said forward Chris Kreider. "And there should be. That's how it is when you go from a full regular season into the playoffs. It's kind of like trying to jump on a speeding train, but it's like that for everybody. I think the teams that are able to channel that energy and lean on the things they've been doing all year long - the practice, the structure, the teammates - and the more that we can give each other information and talk, on the ice and on the bench, the easier the transition will be."
There are still eight days remaining to prepare for the real thing, including a July 29th exhibition matchup in Toronto vs. the Islanders. That means eight more days to continue to hone in on roster questions, line combinations, goaltending and special teams.
But for the most part, Quinn said, things were clicking prior to March 11. As such, he doesn't expect all that much to change when the games begin again.
"We just wanted to get back together and pick up where we left off," he said. "We felt we were playing good hockey, and we felt like we gave ourselves a chance night in and night out, doing the things we were doing. So unless something happens drastically to change our minds, we're not going to change much. That being said, obviously, you prepare for each opponent, and there are things you're going to do that are a little bit different from opponent to opponent. But other than that, the things we're going to have to do against Carolina to be successful are the things we've had to do throughout the season to be successful against other teams and, if we're fortunate enough to advance, things we're going to have to do, regardless of who we're playing."
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For the first couple of months of 2019-20, there was a feeling-out process. That is to be expected from a team with abundant new faces, many of whom had limited NHL experience.
Post-Christmas break, however, something changed. Something clicked. That's what Quinn wants to see more of as the meaningful games begin in earnest.
"Confidence comes from having success, and fortunately, we were having some success the last two and a half months pre-pause]," he said. "Our guys certainly had a lot of good things to draw from over the last two months of the season, and I think our guys are pretty excited about being back. They're very excited about being back to be able to play meaningful hockey. If you're going to be good, you better think you're good, and if you're going to win, you better think you can win. I think the guys think along those lines right now."
No one on the Rangers - veteran or rookie - knows quite what to expect on August 1st. This is uncharted territory for everyone. Even so, there will be a need for those with playoff experience to embrace leadership roles because with or without fans in the stands, playoffs are playoffs, and things will feel different. There will be more at stake, and that difference will be tangible.
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"It's obviously an interesting situation - nobody's really dealt with it - but what we have dealt with is playoffs and what to expect," said Brendan Smith, who has played in 39 playoff games over five seasons with Detroit and New York. "For me, [my role] is to kind of give wisdom in that aspect. I was very fortunate to be a part of the Red Wings with all of those guy who seemed like they were 30-plus and played 100-plus playoff games, so I got to watch them and learn from them, and I picked up so many tips, and just how to hold myself on and off the ice. That's something that I try to emulate and then help pass on to some of these younger guys. I think by doing that, it'll help guys feel more comfortable, and that's how I felt when I was a young guy."
Format and circumstances aside, there is no room for interpretation about what is at stake for this club.
"It's going to be very high stakes," Kreider said. "It's still playoff hockey. It's going to be one team moving on and another team having to go home and sit on their hands for several months and think about the things they could've done better while the other team gets to go and compete for something we've all dreamed of winning our entire lives. I don't expect the hockey to be any less competitive. It will be a different feel, not having that electricity and noise in the building, but it's up to us on the bench and as teammates to bring that energy."

Kravtsov Joins Main Group

Throughout this week, the main forward group has shifted a bit each day. On Tuesday, Steven Fogarty skated with the first group; on Wednesday, it was Vinni Lettieri in that slot.
On Thursday, Vitali Kravtsov got the call to skate in the first session, and according to Quinn, it was a call that was warranted by his play since Phase 3 began on July 13th.
"I've liked his work ethic," Quinn said. "I really think he's been working really hard. He's really embraced the challenge."
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Kravtsov spent the bulk of the 2019-20 season with Hartford, where he skated in 39 games and tallied 15 points in his first season skating primarily in North America.
"I think he's enjoying being here and he's learning a lot, and I thought he's earned the opportunity to skate with the big group today," Quinn said. "His skill is obvious, and like most highly-skilled players have to learn, they have to learn how to play at the NHL level and learn how to apply that skill level here. I think he's going through a little bit of a learning curve, but we like what we've seen."

Smith on Shifting Back to D

For most of 2019-20, Brendan Smith - defenseman by trade - filled a gap up front for the Rangers, who needed experience and grit on the fourth line.
Post-trade deadline, however, he had the opportunity to shift back to the blue line following the trade that sent Brady Skjei to Carolina, and it's an opportunity he's embraced.
"For me, it's like riding a bike," Smith said. "That's the position I know the best. That's where I was drafted and I have the most games played, so I feel most comfortable going back there. I think making the transition to forward - it was a little bit harder to go forward than it was to go back to defense. The hardest thing for me was being mentally prepared for what position I was going to play. Physically, I found it not too difficult; it was just mentally, where you have to be and understanding the game. I like to kind of visualize my game before it happens; I think a a lot of players are like that, and knowing what position you're going to play before the game helps. You can kind of focus on that."
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Quinn has often said that Smith's versatility is one of his biggest assets, and even after playing almost all of his games up front before February 25th, he has proven he could pick up right where he left off.
"I saw a lot of things that we've seen throughout his career that made him a good NHL defenseman: He skates very well, he competes, he passes the puck hard, he can shoot it, and he wasn't trying to do too much," Quinn said. "We missed Brady for sure from a depth standpoint, but Smitty stepped in and we didn't miss a beat - we really didn't. To have him be able to play forward and D is certainly helpful, but he's a defenseman. He's a guy that's going to kill penalties, take a regular shift, play against people, stop lines, and he's done that before in his career. After what he's been through the last few years, it's been tough for him, and he's handled it incredibly well. I think he takes this opportunity and is really grateful for it and wants to make the most of it."

Quote of the Day

"I think once you see these other leagues get to the point where they're playing exhibition games, and then Major League Baseball's about to play their regular season games, I think it really puts everybody at ease, thinking that this is and will happen. It's exciting." - David Quinn on getting closer to August 1st

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