It’s been a rough homestand for USA hopeful Ryan McDonagh.
AP Photo/Alex Brandon

When the Rangers host the Wild, there will be a different goalie in net. For the first time all homestand, rookie Cam Talbot gets the start. Henrik Lundqvist’s struggles have been well documented. Since he signed an extension, it’s been a nightmare. It’s not worth reiterating.

Here’s an opportunity for Talbot to provide a spark. It’ll be his first start since Dec. 2. That one was the first game he allowed more than two goals giving up four to Winnipeg. It also was his second consecutive start leading to silly whispers that there was a goalie controversy. Leave it to Glen Sather to emphatically silence it by extending Lundqvist for seven years, $59.5 million. Talbot did make one appearance replacing Lundqvist Dec. 12 allowing one in a loss to Columbus. How will our backup perform after hardly seeing any action? If it goes awry, you know who to blame.

Aside from the goalie story, there’s the suddenly pedestrian play of Ryan McDonagh to concern ourselves with. Easily the Rangers’ best defenseman, his increased offense was a nice boost. He still brings a team best six goals and 13 assists for 19 points pacing Ranger blueliners. Alain Vigneault has really leaned on him heavily since Marc Staal went down. He averages 24:12 TOI. Perhaps the extended ice-time is starting to have a negative effect. Over his last six games, McDonagh is without a point and a minus-eight. Dating back to a Dec. 7 loss to the Devils, he has 1 assist and is a minus-nine. A strange coincidence the Rangers have 1 win over the last seven. Against Calgary, McDonagh finished even.

His slump comes at a crucial time with Team USA scouts paying close attention. Even though there are several players better, McDonagh should be a lock for the Olympic roster in Sochi. If we had to guess the top six, it would be Ryan Suter, Dustin Byfuglien, Keith Yandle, Kevin Shattenkirk, Jack Johnson and McDonagh. Cam Fowler (4-17-21 +5 8 PIM) is making a strong case and resurgent Erik Johnson (5-8-13 +17 24 PIM) should be included. Interestingly, Andy Greene isn’t being considered despite similar numbers (6-14-20 +5 12 PIM) to McDonagh (6-13-19 -7 8 PIM).

Other strong candidates include rookie Torey Krug (8-10-18), James Wisniewski (2-17-19), Matt Niskanen (3-14-17), John Carlson (7-7-14) and Justin Faulk (2-13-15). There are plenty of choices.