With Kreider out again, it didn’t take long for the Rangers to recall Benn Ferriero. The former Shark registered an assist in the Whale’s 4-1 win Friday. He was just picked up from the Pens for Chad Kolarik. Looks like that’s the end of the Stu Bickel experiment. Thank God. Bickel is an extra defenseman. Considering the options, Steve Eminger remains our No.6. Bickel and Matt Gilroy are depth on this team.

That’s not exactly encouraging. But this is the roster Glen Sather put together. One reliant on the top four of Del Zotto, Girardi, McDonagh and Staal. Though I’m still wondering why John Tortorella hasn’t used Anton Stralman more. Stralman is capable of logging more minutes and is a viable option on the power play. Hopefully, Tort will come around.

I guess the plan is to pray for our Big Three to carry the offense. I’m not particularly fond of throwing all our eggs in one basket. This team lacks balance. Taylor Pyatt has performed admirably but shouldn’t be on the second line. Brian Boyle’s off to a poor start without Brandon Prust or Ruslan Fedotenko.

The Rangers need more from Carl Hagelin. He must contribute offensively. That means the coach should use him on one of the top two lines. Maybe even on the power play. It can’t hurt to have Hags’ speed and energy.

Tonight, the Leafs visit MSG. They come off a 7-4 drubbing at the hands of the Islanders, who scored six of the last seven at the ACC. It’s no secret Toronto isn’t strong defensively and are suspect in goal. However, they do possess more offensive depth led by Phil Kessel, James van Riemsdyk, Nikolai Kulemin and Mikhail Grabovski. The Rangers must also be aware of former No.1 pick Nazem Kadri, who’s off to a hot start with three goals.

There also could be some fisticuffs between Mike Rupp and Colton Orr. If Arron Asham returns, that adds another potential scrap against pest Mike Brown.

Henrik Lundqvist gets his fifth consecutive start. It could be Ben Scrivens for the Leafs. James Reimer replaced him Thursday. We’ll see.