Rangers’ injuries give youngsters chance to shine

Here was Peter Laviolette following Thursday’s practice, six days before the season opener in Pittsburgh, discussing the impact of injuries that have sidelined Ryan Lindgren and Jimmy Vesey for “a few weeks” and now Artemi Panarin, “day-to-day” with a lower body issue he sustained in Tuesday’s match against AHL Utica.

The Rangers head coach touched on the opportunity created for younger players, perhaps Brennan Othmann, perhaps Matt Robertson, through injuries to returning lettermen. He touched on Alexis Lafreniere stepping in for Panarin on the traditional — and reconstituted — first power-play unit and he talked about giving Will Cuylle an opportunity to earn a spot on the penalty kill.

And Laviolette said this, alluding to it more than once:

“We want to try and keep players in the game a little bit more.”

Music to my ears.

And for those who are emotionally invested in the Rangers pursuit of the Stanley Cup, you should hear a symphony the very same way Diana Ross and the Supremes once did.