When the Rangers host the Penguins tonight at 8 PM, Dylan McIlrath won’t be in the lineup. After playing his first two NHL games since being recalled from Hartford, he’ll be a healthy scratch.

Instead, Alain Vigneault has decided to dress Arron Asham. Nothing against Asham, who’s a solid fourth line energizer. But sitting out McIlrath fresh off his first fight that helped spark a win over the Flames doesn’t make a whole lot of sense. Granted. The Pens are an explosive opponent that features league-leading scorer Sidney Crosby. Even without Evgeni Malkin, Kris Letang and suspended forward James Neal, they have capable scorers including Pascal Dupuis, Chris Kunitz and Jussi Jokinen.

Given their penchant for allowing goals to obscure fourth liners, it’s even more reason to question Vigneault’s decision. I get that he isn’t comfortable going with seven defensemen. But why bench the one tough guy they have against a team known for cheap shots? It’s not like the Pens don’t have physical players who can run roughshod. Tanner Glass is their enforcer and Deryk Engelland is a legit heavy. Robert Bortuzzo is also tough.

Why not dress McIlrath? Vigneault praised his courage for battling Brian McGrattan. Big Mac even was rewarded the Broadway Hat recognizing his contribution. So, he’s rewarded by being scratched? If that doesn’t sum up Vigneault’s first year behind the Ranger bench, I don’t know what else to tell you. This is a coach who entering Game 35 has yet to settle on line combinations. A detail that former bench boss John Tortorella was criticized for. Apparently, it’s epidemic.

The Rangers attempt to win two straight for the first time in nearly a month. That came against Dallas and Nashville (11/21-11/23) on the road. They can at least take solace knowing they beat the Pens in the only meeting on 11/6. A 5-1 drubbing. Henrik Lundqvist gets his seventh consecutive start. Figure Marc-Andre Fleury to be in net for the Pens. He’s having a great season boasting a 1.98 GAA. Oddly enough, the Rangers scored five on 25 shots in last month’s win.