Saturday marked the beginning of head coach Peter Laviolette’s effort to solidify the Rangers’ playoff lineup.
No matter how long it takes to integrate the Blueshirts’ trade deadline acquisitions, it will be at least two to three weeks before the team is in complete form as captain Jacob Trouba recovers from a lower-body injury. right.
While experiments on the front line have begun, the depth of the defense will also be put to the test.
“It’s tough. I mean, he’s the leader of this team,” Laviolette said of losing Trouba on Saturday night before the Rangers beat the Blues 4-0 at Madison Square Garden. “He brings a certain style of play that we’re going to miss. He’s physical, he plays great defense for us, he has a lot of tough minutes and a heavy workload.
“Other players are going to have to step up. It’s a great opportunity for someone to step up and take that position.”
With Trouba out, Braden Schneider moved to Quandre Miller’s right side.
Laviolette noted that Schneider has played the role before.
To fill Schneider’s void, Zach Jones joined the Rangers’ batting lineup for the first time since February 5 and was used to the left of Erik Gustafsson.
Newly acquired defenseman Chad Ruhwedel will also likely get a chance while Trouba is out.
With Alex Wennberg integrated, the bottom six will likely see some different looks in the coming weeks.
First, Wennberg placed Will Quill and Kaapo Kakko at center, with Barclay Goodrow skating between Jimmy Vesey and Matt Lempe.
As expected, Jack Roslovic started Saturday on the right wing of Mika Zibanejad and Chris Kreider.
Laviolette sees Roslovic as a winger, but the Rangers bench manager said he wouldn’t mind giving him a few center shifts.
“I think we’ve filled some of the spaces that needed to be filled,” Laviolette said. “Both forwards have played center. Roslovic has played primarily on the wing, but when you talk to him and learn about his past, he plays center and is also a center man.
“So I think it’s always good to have center depth in your lineup. Again, I think getting another defenseman is a very positive thing. Just for the stretch. We’re getting ready for the playoffs.”
On Saturday, Igor Shesterkin played in his 200th NHL game and Vincent Trocheck played in his 700th career NHL game.
The Rangers will have Sunday off before playing back-to-back games against the Devils at the Garden on Monday night and the Hurricanes in Raleigh, North Carolina, on Tuesday.
