The Rangers come into Monday's contest against Florida on a mild high after doing a 180-degree turn Saturday against Carolina. Dominated the first 32 or so minutes, a line combination shake-up was the magic formula resulting in the 4-1 win. A victory Monday would open a 10-point cushion on the Panthers for the eighth Wild Card spot with Florida also facing the Islanders on Tuesday
The Metro Division, which was so hot a few weeks ago, has returned to more of a sense of normalcy. The dominance that existed has shifted back to good, solid play but at nowhere near the level of play when the calendar shifted to January. The Islanders are 6-4 in their last 10, having lost two in a row and sit five points above the Blueshirts, having played two more games. Pittsburgh is just 4-4-2 in their last 10 and their lead is four points over the Rangers, but NY has three games in hand. In addition, Washington is also 4-4-2 in their last 10 and are tied with the Rangers with 60 but NY has three games in hand on them as well. Despite the Rangers uneven play following their red-hot streak, none of those three teams have pulled away, enabling NY to stay in the heart of the divisional and playoff race.
We all knew that when JT Miller had that turnover Saturday, he was likely to sit Monday, even though he played well when moved to the fourth line. In essence, Miller has gone from outhouse, to penthouse, to basement and back to the outhouse in the past few games. Meaning, he has shifted from healthy scratch to top line to fourth line and back to a healthy scratch in a short span of time. I am all for making players earn their spot, but someone tell AV to take off the blinders when it comes to Tanner Glass as he scratches Miller for one bobble. In Miller's stead, Lee Stempniak, who hasn't scored in seven games, gets back in the lineup.
The line combinations to start the game will be the same ones that ended the game Saturday, with the Stempniak for Miller swap the only change.
Rick Nash-Derek Stepan-Martin St. Louis Chris Kreider-Kevin Hayes-Mats Zuccarello Carl Hagelin-Derick Brassard-Jesper Fast. Tanner Glass-Dominic Moore-Lee Stempniak
Despite the good last 28 minutes Saturday, we all agree that additional reinforcements are needed. Much of the talk has centered around obtaining Martin Hanzal or Antoine Vermette, with the main crux, who would need to go back to Arizona. In addition, as Larry Brooks wrote and we have postulated before, one key determinant will be to figure out if Kevin Hayes can move to wing, where he hasn't played all season. Of course, that would only occur if NY acquire a true center or promoted Oscar Lindberg rather than adding someone who can play C and W. One other possibility, as i have suggested before, is playing Moore on wing, which is likely a lesser option.
Katie Strang wrote today that some other names NY might consider are Mike Santorelli, Jarret Stoll (which might only be an option if LA falls from eighth spot, as he is a UFA after the year and the Kings are unlikely to bring him back), Nate Thompson (who has two years left at $1.6 mil per but unless Richard Rakell is locked in as the third center and Anaheim is comfortable with their depth is probably staying there) and Jiri Tlusty (UFA nursing a head injury making $2.95 mil this year). Stoll and Thompson fill a role as good checking centers that can win draws but minimal threats offensively, meaning the third line would cease to be any kind of offensive weapon. Tlusty has shown he can score in spurts, so would be an intriguing option while Santarelli makes too much sense as a hybrid center/winger, who could move up an down the lineup.
The big takeaway from her column was that the Rangers are "unlikely" to deal either Zucc or MSL. St. Louis hadn't really been mentioned but Zucc's name had started to be bandied about a possible trade chip by the March 2 deadline. I am biased on Zucc and hope he stays here, plus, if he clicks with Hayes and Kreider as he did Saturday night, that line could spark NY. In addition, Miller seems to be the prominent name mentioned who could go in a deal, though I am reluctant to do so. Adam Tambellini's name has started to come up, but if moving him, seeing the growth he has made in the last year, NY better be getting an impact player, rather than a third liner.
Projected lineups for Florida:
Brandon Pirri-Nick Bjugstad-Jimmy Hayes Jonathan Huberdeau-Aleksander Barkov-Brad Boyes Sean Bergenheim-Dave Bolland-Jussi Jokinen Tomas Kopecky-Derek MacKenzie-Shawn Thornton
Florida is a team that looks to be set well for the future. With Bjugstad and Barkov down the middle, Hub and Hayes on the wing, Aaron Ekblad on the back line and Roberto Luongo between the pipes, they have a good core on which to build. Let that building happen later, tonight, it's the present not the future that needs to prevail.