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Rangers Kickoff 15 Games in 29 Days Saturday Versus WPG, Stepan, Staal... |
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The Rangers kickoff a heavy November schedule, in which they play 15 games in 29 days, 10 of them at home, Saturday against the Jets. New York was relatively fortunate playing just nine games in October due to the absences of Derek Stepan and Dan Boyle. In addition, that light schedule hopefully enabled the coaching staff to work on the deficiencies and breakdowns we discussed throughout the month. Starting Saturday, time for teaching and corrections will be greatly reduced, meaning it will be learning and adjusting on the fly while re-introducing Stepan and Boyle back to the lineup.
On Stepan, Larry Brooks wrote today that barring a setback Stepan will be back either Saturday in Toronto or Sunday against Edmonton. When Stepan does return, it will give the Rangers a relatively set grouping of pivot me, which was a major area of concern the first month. Brooks wrote what I was thinking; with Nash-Brassard-Zuccarello dominating the third period against Minnesota, it would be foolish for AV to break up that trio. That likely means that Stepan will center Chris Kreider and Martin St. Louis. What's left to decide is which line and who Chris Mueller and Dominic Moore center. I would put Mueller with Carl Hagelin and Anthony Duclair and have Moore center Tanner Glass and Lee Stempniak. Stepan's return also means that Kevin Hayes will go down to Hartford to work on his game, a move that was needed but was really not a viable option with Stepan out.
New York also has to make a call on Duclair. If he plays as he did Monday, it would be ridiculous to send him down or bench him. If he struggles, then let him watch and play Ryan Malone, but based on pure upside, Duclair should be in the lineup nightly. Brooks wrote that a drop-dead date for Duclair to report to Team Canada is December 19 and if he did play in the tourney and Canada went to the finals, he would miss 7-9 games. It would be a great honor for Duclair to play for Canada, but there is six weeks remaining for that call to be made. If he Is struggling and needs a mental boost, allow him to go, if he is consistently playing top-nine minutes, keep him here.
One more Brooks nugget was on the possible re-uniting of Marc Staal and Dan Girardi. This was a move we briefly touched on during October and was made Monday with Ryan McDonagh scuffling. Staal had possibly his best game of the season while the change did little to reverse McDonagh's fortunes. Staal and Girardi were a pair, as Brooks wrote, for late 2009-10 and all 2010-11 before Staal was sidelined by his concussion the first 36 games of 11-12 and McD/G duo was formed. If Staal is going to play as he did Monday, it would be hard not to roll that duo out again with McD slated to play with Kevin Klein, who also was good Monday.
The one downside is that the top duo lacks real offensive talent, though it might enable Staal to be more aggressive, as he was a few years ago before he was hurt. The third pairing is what concerns us all with John Moore suspended and Boyle hurt. Matt Hunwick has been good and should stay in the lineup when Moore and Boyle return. However, Michael Kostka, he of the egregious two giveaways against New Jersey, looks like he will be in the lineup, though I would prefer either Conor Allen or Dylan McIlrath. This will be a make or break chance for Kostka, since with the two d-men slated to return over the next few weeks, he will be the odd-man out and could slide further down the depth chart with a poor performance.
New York Rangers Blogger • 
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