In nine games since he returned from the World Junior Championship in Ottawa earlier this month, Rangers prospect Evgeny Grachev has taken his game to a new level, picking up points at a torrid two-per-game pace.  The 18-year old forward now has 27 goals and 26 assists for 53 points in 39 games, good for third on his team and sixteenth over-all in the Ontario Hockey League.  He continues to lead all rookies in both goals and points while his +26 rating is tops among rookies and ties linemate Matt Duchene for tenth over-all.  In his last four games, the young Russian has been selected the first star of the game three times.

Grachev discussed the recent up-tick in his game (among other things) in his most recent blog, which was posted to IceDaily.com Thursday afternoon.