Marc Staal practiced today and is ready for Game 1 versus Sidney Crosby and the Penguins.
Tribune Review/Chaz Palla

Two days away from their first round series starting against the Penguins, the Rangers practiced today. Defenseman Marc Staal returned and was paired up with Dan Boyle. While he’ll be ready for Game 1 Thursday, it doesn’t seem likely for Kevin Klein.

The underrated stay at home blueliner who set career bests in goals (9) and points (26) while leading all Ranger defensemen in plus/minus (24) didn’t practice. He missed the final 16 games due to a broken left arm. A key contributor throughout the season, Klein has fit in well. After coming over from Nashville a year ago for Michael Del Zotto, he’s been a pleasant surprise under coach Alain Vigneault. He reads and reacts well playing his position steadily while knowing when to jump in the rush and use his accurate shot.

If he isn’t ready for the start of the series, it puts into question when he’ll be able to return. With that likely the case, Matt Hunwick probably will be paired with Keith Yandle on the third pair. Signed last summer by GM Glen Sather, the vet has done a good job. Getting into more games (55) than anticipated, he totaled 11 points (2-9-11) while posting a plus-17 rating. He’s filled in admirably giving the Rangers valuable minutes. It’ll be interesting to see how he performs against the Pens.

Figure Vigneault to micromanage Hunwick’s shifts with Staal back. He can lean on top pair Ryan McDonagh and Dan Girardi to match up against either Sidney Crosby or Evgeni Malkin. Last year, Staal drew the assignment against Crosby and fared well. Even if the Pittsburgh media went overboard on Staal’s crosschecks. It was easier for Vigneault to use Staal with former partner Anton Stralman, who was more steady defensively than Boyle. But he has plenty of experience. So, that’ll be worth following.

As for the Rangers lines, it looks like Vigneault will stick with the same combinations that he used down the stretch to clinch the franchise’s third President’s Trophy. That includes Tanner Glass, who’ll remain on the fourth line to start Game 1 with line mates Dominic Moore and Jesper Fast. Of course, some fans are still bitter over Glass playing. They need to get over it. He actually played better hockey the final month and even put himself in scoring position and made good defensive plays in the neutral zone. The former Pen certainly is familiar with their opponent. We’ll see how he does.

If Glass falters, Vigneault has a good option in gritty forward James Sheppard. Since coming over from San Jose, he’s been a solid energy guy who gets underneath the skin of opponents. He also is good on the forecheck and scored twice in 14 games. Just because he’s probably a healthy scratch for Game 1 doesn’t mean he won’t get in at some point.

With the lines remaining intact, it gives the Rangers balance. Since he moved J.T. Miller up to the second unit with Derek Stepan and Chris Kreider, the All-American line has meshed well. Providing a more physical element and two-way presence, Miller has been a good complement making them harder on the forecheck. He also is better defensively than Martin St. Louis, who seems to fit better with rookie Kevin Hayes and Carl Hagelin on the third line.

Looking to shoot more, St. Louis finished strong with a goal and four assists over the last five. He was too unselfish thinking pass too much with Stepan and Kreider. With Hayes such a good puck possession player and distributor and Hagelin the two-way forechecking complement, it’s allowed St. Louis to be more of a shooting threat. Exactly what they need.

The top line remains the same with Derick Brassard centering top scorer Rick Nash and pesky Mats Zuccarello. Nash paced the Blueshirts in goals (42), points (69), plus/minus (29), shorthanded goals (4) and game-winners (8). If he’s not up for the Hart, he deserves inclusion for the Selke for top defensive forward. That’s how special his season has been. Obviously, Nash will need a better postseason than last year when he had three goals and seven assists. He should be geared up for a big playoffs. Brassard enters off a career high 60 points (19-41-60) pacing the club in assists (41) and power play points (6-12-18). Once he re-upped, Zuccarello played better finishing with 49 points (15-34-49) and a plus-17. He didn’t score a power play goal the entire season. Maybe that changes with the spotlight on.

Rangers Lines

Kreider-Stepan-Miller

Nash-Brassard-Zuccarello

Hagelin-Hayes-St. Louis

Glass-Moore-Fast

Extra: Sheppard

McDonagh-Girardi

Staal-Boyle

Yandle-Hunwick

Lundqvist

Talbot