Marty St. Louis celebrates his goal with Rick Nash and Marc Staal.
AP Photo by Frank Franklin II/Getty Images

It’s an exciting time to be a Rangers fan. They’re playing their best hockey. After defeating the Islanders 2-1 in the final regular season meeting at Nassau Coliseum, they pulled within a point of first place. With 89 points and 38 regulation and overtime wins (ROW) in 65 games, they’re in great position to win the Metropolitan Division. If they can win at Washington tonight, they’ll take over first and still have three extra games remaining.

Astonishingly, they’ve gone 30-7-3 over the last 40 games. Even without Henrik Lundqvist, they haven’t missed a beat. Due in large part to Cam Talbot and the continued big season from Rick Nash, the Rangers look like a Stanley Cup contender. Lately, they haven’t been scoring as much relying more on Talbot and a remade defense thanks to the addition of Keith Yandle. Being able to win tight low scoring games is a plus this time of year. It proves why they made a trip to the Stanley Cup Final last year.

If there is one concern with a month left, it’s the play of Martin St. Louis. Acquired at last year’s trade deadline for former captain Ryan Callahan plus two first round picks including 2015, the former Hart winner has been streaky this season. In the final year of a contract that pays him $5 million, the soon to be 40-year old is being counted on for offense. His 18 goals rank second and 44 points are third on the team.

Overall, that’s not bad. Playing a top six role on the second line with Derek Stepan and Chris Kreider, he has done his part. However, St. Louis has also gone through cold stretches which are alarming. Entering tonight’s match at Washington, he’s without a point in seven straight. Making matters worse, Kreider is without a point in three straight and was taken off the line by coach Alain Vigneault in the third period last night. J.T. Miller replaced him.

If they’re to have success this postseason, the Rangers can ill afford for two/thirds of the second line to have off nights. Fortunately, Kevin Hayes’ accelerated development has taken pressure off. The rookie scored a brilliant tying goal in Tuesday’s win. His continued improvement along with Miller and old reliable Carl Hagelin has given Vigneault a strong third line that forechecks vigorously and chips in offensively. The acquisition of James Sheppard has also solidified the fourth line. Dominic Moore continues to fly under the radar quietly putting up six goals and 19 points while winning key faceoffs. Rookie Jesper Fast has been steady. Even Tanner Glass has improved.

While you can make the argument that this team is four lines deep, they’ll need more out of St. Louis. As he provided last Spring scoring and setting up big goals with the team rallying around him following the death of his Mom, St. Louis is a locker room leader who’s respected. Kreider has learned from him as has Stepan, whose production has been affected by his linemates’ struggles. He also is without a point in seven. The difference with Stepan is you still notice him. One of the team’s best two-way forwards, he shows up defensively and makes big plays like breaking up a dangerous Islanders’ chance in the final half minute. He also has teamed with Nash to form a dangerous penalty killing tandem that have combined for five shorthanded goals.

When St. Louis and Kreider aren’t scoring, they’re not as noticeable. Especially Kreider, who is probably one of the worst defensive forwards on the team. The second-year left wing still struggles in the defensive zone with giveaways. Something Vigneault doesn’t tolerate despite his more aggressive approach. He still had Kreider out on the power play despite the demotion. Vigneault understands the value of using his players to their strengths. He also hasn’t hesitated to switch Kevin Klein to the second pair with Marc Staal late in games over Dan Boyle.

With St. Louis, he still competes. You do have to wonder what the Rangers plan is this summer. Already having re-signed Mats Zuccarello to a four-year $18 million contract, they must bump up Stepan significantly. A bargain at an average cap hit of $3.075 million, he is earning $3.85 million this season. Despite missing the first month, he ranks fourth in team scoring with 43 points (11-32-43) in 51 games. He should have good leverage and get between five to six million.

Team President and GM Glen Sather also has a decision on Hagelin. Currently making $2.4 million, the underrated 25-year old Swede has put together a good year. Despite playing mostly with Hayes who went through some growing pains, Hagelin has 14 goals and 15 assists for 29 points and a solid plus-16 rating in a checking role. He continues to be a pest shorthanded using his dangerous speed to bother opponents. Just ask the Islanders. While he might not be more than a top nine forward, he’s proven his value and can be counted on. Unless there’s another player who the organization believes can replace him, he should be re-signed. That’ll mean a bump up in salary.

The only other restricted’s the club has are Fast and Miller. Perhaps Fast moves up to the third line if Sather decides to trade Hagelin to shed salary and recoup a pick. Much depends on what happens with Pavel Buchnevich. When they parted with Anthony Duclair for Yandle, it signaled that they would like to bring Buchnevich over from Russia. The 2013 third round pick had a big year with Cherepovets Severstal of the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL) tallying 13 goals and 17 assists for 30 points in 48 games. A significant total for a 19-year old in a pro league. The club also signed 2013 third round pick Adam Tambellini. He’s totaled 45 goals and 34 assists for 79 points in 65 games for the Calgary Hitmen of the Western Hockey League (WHL). A high scoring league.

The Rangers are committed to all six of their defensemen including Yandle, who can become unrestricted the following summer. They already re-signed Talbot for another year. But the way he’s played, he could be trade bait with an attractive $1.45 million salary for ’15-16.

What does it all mean for St. Louis? Unless he improves down the stretch and delivers a similar performance to the 15 points (8-7-15) he had last postseason, the popular veteran could be the odd man out. Unless he’d be willing to take a pay cut to finish his career on Broadway, it’s hard to see him returning. But it’s awfully hard to replace a top six forward with his skill set and experience. They already sacrificed Duclair, who could’ve been his replacement.

Whatever the Rangers decide, it’ll be one worth following this summer.