LAS VEGAS — Peter Laviolette noted that Tyler Pitlick has been fully cleared to play, after the 32-year-old wing was sidelined six games with a lower-body injury, but the Rangers head coach deployed the same lineup Thursday night against the Golden Knights.
Pitlick was scratched for a second straight game and may be facing a difficult road ahead to get back into the Rangers lineup.
If the Blueshirts continue to turn it around with Jonny Brodzinski in the lineup after a 2-5-1 stretch, it may take another forward injury for Pitlick to get back in.
But if Thursday’s 5-1 loss in Vegas marks the beginning of another losing streak, Laviolette may opt for a change.
“He’s got a skill level to him,” Laviolette said of Brodzinski, who competed in his 24th straight game. “He brings speed. If you go back and look at that goal they scored [versus Seattle on Tuesday], it happens because he outraces somebody on the forecheck and able to come up with possession and turn things around. He gets into the O-zone play and some puck movement.
“For me, it’s the speed that he brings to the table. He’s got good skill, but he can skate and he can make things happen with his speed.”
Pitlick, who was a bottom-six pick up this past offseason, has chipped in a goal and two assists through 28 games. After serving as a scratch in eight of the first 10 games of the season, Pitlick slotted into a full-time role when Filip Chytil went down.
When Kaapo Kakko landed on long-term injured reserve, Brodzinski was the first recall from AHL Hartford. He started out strong with one goal and five assists in his first seven games, but has only chipped in an additional three assists since then.
Brodzinski centered a line between Will Cuylle and Blake Wheeler for a second straight game after the unit notched a crucial 3-1 score in the second period of the Rangers’ 5-2 win over the Kraken on Tuesday.
The Golden Knights took a 2-0 lead after getting behind the Rangers’ 1-3-1. Nicolas Roy skated around Jacob Trouba before setting up Ivan Barbashev at the far post at the 14:48 mark of the second period.
The puck went in off his skates, which prompted Toronto to review it, but it was ultimately upheld.
Ryan Lindgren skated in his 300th NHL game Thursday night.
The Rangers are scheduled to be off on Friday as they make their way to Los Angeles, where they will face the Kings Saturday night.
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