Urho Vaakanainen is his seventh NHL season and the Rangers are his third team, but the 26-year-old defender has never reached the playoffs.
Therefore, his involvement in the four-state showdown with Finland was not merely inspiring.
It could help Vakaninen prepare for the postseason.
“I never played in a playoff game, but if I had to imagine it, it's the top,” Vakaninen said of the four countries' competitive levels. “That's what my teammates said. It certainly felt like the playoff vibe: skill, speed, physicality.”
Vaakanainen arrived at the Rangers from Anaheim in December in exchange for former captain Jacob Trouba, claiming that playing in the tournament is more valuable than a typical All-Star break.
“I think that's great,” Vakaninen said. “These are probably the most difficult games that can be played anywhere in the world against the best players. They are high intensity and have high skill levels. If you can play those games, it's positive.”
Peter LaViolett agreed that the experience would pay off.
“I think it's great for him to put himself on such a map,” the coach said. “He came here and played really well for us. He's a really good defender, a great kid and he's really good fit. He'll close quickly. [and] Play with your attitude there. ”
Vaakanainen scored his first goal as a ranger in the final match before his break in Columbus.
When asked if he knew he scored in the play, he said, “I knew I touched it a little, but I was 100% . I wasn't sure. There was a lot of traffic in front of the internet.”
He said he watched the replay and added with a laugh, “I made sure they checked it out.”
Mika Zibanejad, who missed the second half of her four countries due to Sweden's illness, skated herself before Rangers practice on Thursday.
Rabiolet said he expects Zibanejad to return to practice on Friday.
The other four rangers are still involved in the final Thursday tournament in Boston. Team USA's JT Miller, Vincent Trocheck, Adam Fox and Criss Rider will be rejoining the team in Buffalo in time for the start of Saturday at 5:30pm.
Jake Lesxin and Matthew Robertson returned to Earl Hartford on Thursday, but Brett Berard and Brennan Osman were in Rangers practice, and the team still holds a short hand for the 4 Nations showdown. Ta.
Rabiolet said he was impressed by the group.
“They worked very hard,” Rabiolet said. “No one knows it won't fit there.”
In particular, when it comes to Bellard and Osman, Rabiolet states: Both have a bit of experience here. …They are close [to the NHL]there are top players. ”
Rabiolet praised the lines of Zibanejad, Miller and Artemipanarin who had succeeded before the break.
“It's a good line for us,” he said. “Effective. I'll see it again.”
