Tonight, when the Rangers take on the Ducks at MSG, a familiar face will be back. Ryan Callahan makes his return after missing eight games with a broken thumb. As usual, the gritty leader is back sooner than expected. You can’t keep him down for long. That’s what makes him one of the best captains in the sport. He has a high level of pain threshold.

Getting Callahan back is great. Since returning home, the team is playing better. They’ve won a season high three straight and four of their last five. It’s no coincidence that their play has improved with Carl Hagelin’s return. A hard nosed player similar to the captain, the feisty Swede has two goals and an assist during the win streak. Alain Vigneault boasted about his speed which is a great asset for the high tempo he wants to play. Even better, Vigneault deserves credit for putting together Chris Kreider with Derek Stepan and Mats Zuccarello. The trio have found chemistry coming off their best game- a 5-1 home win over Carolina. They combined for nine points including Stepan’s second career hat trick to snap out of it.

Meanwhile, Hagelin played with Brad Richards and Benoit Pouliot recording his fourth career two-goal game. Richards and Pouliot each had assists. Richards has been the team’s best forward so far tied with Stepan for the lead in scoring with 10 points (5-5-10). A sharp contrast from last year when he admittedly wasn’t in the best shape and lacked confidence. With Callahan back, Vigneault could slide him on the top line for Pouliot and move Benoit down to the third line. It should be noted that that line also was effective shutting down Eric and Jordan Staal. It was a make shift line of Brian Boyle, Derick Brassard and J.T. Miller. Boyle has become a coach favorite for his versatility and energy. It’s nice to see him get appreciated. He’s always been a solid citizen. Hopefully, he’ll catch a break and get a goal soon.

I wonder what Vigneault will do for Callahan’s first game back. Does he just start him on the third line and keep the top two lines intact? There’s no reason to mess with success. Maybe he’ll mix and match depending on how the game goes. Interestingly enough, he wasn’t pleased with Anaheim coach Bruce Boudreau last time out. During a 6-0 blowout in the fourth game of the season on Oct. 10, Boudreau had his top power play unit out late. New York Post’s Larry Brooks had some interesting tweets which could have significance for the Garden rematch.

I remember at the time thinking that was strange. Granted, it was early in the schedule. Maybe Boudreau wanted to give Ryan Getzlaf, Corey Perry and Teemu Selanne some work. In his response, he basically suggested that.

He also added that he stuck the fourth line on after 40 seconds. Whatever. It will probable get settled on the ice. The best way to do it is to win. The Ducks have some key guys out including Selanne and Saku Koivu. They haven’t had much success at MSG lately losing three straight including a 2-1 shootout loss two years ago. The Rangers look to get a measure of revenge.

Regarding the lineup, Brooks reported that Miller is a healthy scratch. Supposedly, Vigneault didn’t like his game Saturday. Yet team pet Taylor Pyatt continues to play. Eh. 😛 I don’t get it. Guess that means Callahan either starts third line or flips with Pouliot. The fourth line is probably Pyatt, Derek Dorsett and Brandon Mashinter. I have no problem with that. Especially the energy Dorsett and Mashinter provide. I guess someone will substitute for face-offs. Probably Boyle.

UPDATE: Going off Daily News writer Pat Leonard’s blog , Callahan skated with Richards and Pouliot meaning Hagelin might start on the third line. Guess we’ll have to wait and see.