Since October, the New York Rangers have not had a set of four lines. Coach John Tortorella changes them by the period, sometimes even by the shift. It had been a long time since one line remained intact during the course of a game. Then again, no line really combination warranted being kept together for more than a game, until last night.
From start to finish in the Rangers 4-3 shootout triumph over the New Jersey Devils, the fourth line of Artem Anisimov, Brandon Prust, and Jody Shelley was the best in the game. They kept up a relentless forecheck, used their size to their advantage along the boards, showed toughness, and also chipped in a goal, when Anisimov roofed a shot over Martin Brodeur, for his 12th of the season.
Rangers fans had been waiting earnestly for Anisimov to finally show the offensive prowess that allowed him to score 81 points last season for the Hartford Wolfpack. After shifting him all over the place in the lineup, including a brief stint on the first line with Marian Gaborik, Tortorella may have discovered the key to his success.
Ironically, Anisimov benefits offensively by placing him on a line with no ot ...
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Article written by Greg Caggiano
Anisimov, Prust, and Shelley Making a Difference for New York Rangers
March 26th, 2010 by Greg Caggiano Leave a reply »
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