Tonight, the Rangers pay a visit to Vancouver where they’ll again see former coach John Tortorella. In a schedule twist of cruel irony, the two teams who essentially exchanged coaches last summer will meet for a second time on April Fool’s Day. In a league that takes itself too seriously, at least someone had a keen sense of humor.

When the Canucks and Rangers played the first time in Tortorella’s MSG visit following Thanksgiving, it was Vancouver that was off to a better start. However, Alain Vigneault’s new club rolled to a 5-2 win highlighted by rookie Chris Kreider’s first NHL hat trick. Tortorella’s return was so bad, his team gave up the first four goals chasing Roberto Luongo. Ironically, he’s no longer a Canuck sent back to Florida at the trade deadline. The man who replaced him is rookie Eddie Lack, who’ll be in net against Henrik Lundqvist when the teams face off at 10 EST.

So much has happened since. While injuries and underachieving have been the story for Tortorella’s first year in Vancouver with a possible cruel fate awaiting, Vigneault’s first season on Broadway has gradually improved. Having won six of seven, the Rangers bring a 42-30-4 record with 88 points into their 77th game leading the Flyers by two for second in the Metro Division. Their 24 road wins are tops in the East and are a big reason they’re headed to the playoffs.

Interestingly, no player has over 53 points with Mats Zuccarello and Derek Stepan sharing the team lead. With two markers in a 5-0 rout of Edmonton, Rick Nash leads them with 25 goals. The only player to hit 20 or more. However, they have better scoring balance under Vigneault with nine current players getting at least 10 goals. Former captain Ryan Callahan was the 10th. While former Tortorella pupil Ryan McDonaugh has been the team’s best player with his 14 goals and 43 points putting him into the Norris conversation, Martin St. Louis remains without a goal and just three assists in his first 14 games. If that’s all that’s wrong, figure it to work itself out. The former league MVP is too good not to contribute.

As Vigneault returns to a place he had plenty of success guiding the Canucks to a Stanley Cup appearance in 2011, Tortorella is saddled with rumors of being fired after only one year on the job. It doesn’t seem fair considering how poorly The Sedins have performed. Neither has 50 points yet Henrik and Daniel lead a low scoring club with 46 and 42 points respectively. A far cry from the type of production they once had under Vigneault. The crazy aspect is teflon GM Mike Gillis re-signed each to extensions that pay them $7 million through 2017-18. Locking up players in their 30’s who are on the downside is delusional.

Further complicating the problem, Ryan Kesler wants out. He nearly was traded to the Pens but instead a disorganized Canucks management pulled the plug. He’ll turn 30 this summer and has two years left on his deal which pays him a cap hit of $5 million through 2015-16. Kesler leads them in goals (23), power play goals (9) and game-winners (5). The second highest goal scorer on a terrible roster is Chris Higgins coming in with 17. Whose fault is it? Is it really Tortorella, who got dealt this mess or should Vancouver ownership be looking at Gillis. It seems pretty clear here.

On the verge of missing the playoffs, the Canucks are five out with only six left. If they do give Tortorella the ax, it will not address the issue. To think Vigneault traded places with him and got out of that. He must feel like the luckiest man in hockey. He went from a toxic environment to a much more stable one and has come out looking roses. His coaching opposite must wish he took the year off.