The Rangers are facing their first adversity of the playoffs. Up against a tougher opponent, they enter tonight’s Game 4 trailing the Capitals two games to one. They don’t want to return to MSG Friday in a 3-1 predicament. It’ll be harder to come back on the Caps than the Pens last year due to their physical grinding style.

So, what must happen for the Blueshirts to even the series? They must manage the puck better. The Caps are playing a disciplined defensive style by sitting back in the neutral zone and standing up at their blueline. The Rangers have been guilty of turnovers that plays into Washington’s hand and allows them to counter attack. Being a puck possession team means adjusting on the fly. Tape to tape passes and effective usage of the boards can aid their attack.

So can chipping pucks behind the Caps D and using their team speed to recover them and generate higher quality chances on Braden Holtby. When they have forechecked, they’ve been effective. However, there needs to be more traffic in front of Holtby. Defensemen need to shoot the puck when given the opportunity. There’s been too much hesitation due to the wall the Caps put up in front of their goalie. The same goes for the forwards.

Taking low shots through traffic should lead to second opportunities. The Rangers must do a better job driving the net and finding the loose change. Chris Kreider and Rick Nash have the ability to park their bodies in front of Holtby. There needs to be more urgency. Speedy grinders Carl Hagelin and J.T. Miller are capable of winning battles. Ditto for Jesper Fast.

The centers as a whole must be better. Outside of Derick Brassard, the production hasn’t been there. Derek Stepan needs to pick it up. He’s going to get paid this summer like a top line pivot. If it’s Fast with Stepan and Kreider, so be it. They have to do more and that falls on Stepan. He’s the smart two-way playmaker who determines what kind of game they have.

Kevin Hayes has been okay on the cycle but he can produce more as can Hagelin. They are key elements to the offense. In a series where scoring is down, the Rangers’ depth players must come through. That goes double for Miller who has been all but invisible. If he continues to struggle, perhaps Alain Vigneault bumps up Dominic Moore who’s an effective grinder that wins faceoffs and battles in the corners. Miller can be shifted to the fourth line if necessary.

Much has been made of Nash’s inability to finish. He has one goal in eight games this postseason. However, his five points are tied with Brassard for first in team scoring. Admittedly, Nash knows he must find the back of the net. He was better in Game 3 attempting 15 shots with seven reaching Holtby. If he continues to use his size and skating, it should come.

Martin St. Louis is without a goal in eight with two assists. He had his best offensive game Monday. He was more involved on the forecheck and had one of the best chances getting stopped by Holtby on a breakaway. He’s experienced enough to deliver. He must stay aggressive and look to shoot. That makes him a better threat.

Offensively, the Rangers blueline hasn’t done enough. Ryan McDonagh had a good first round totaling four points in five games against Pittsburgh. He hasn’t been able to make an impact against Washington. He’s their best defenseman and is looked upon as a team leader. The Rangers captain needs to deliver a big performance.

Obviously, Keith Yandle has struggled in this series. He isn’t creating enough offense and has been culpable defensively. If Vigneault decides to keep him with Dan Boyle, he must limit their starts in the defensive zone. They are offensive players who are most effective in the offensive zone. That means changing them on the fly if needed. Something that’s harder to do on the road. I would mix and match each with Marc Staal and Kevin Klein. Neither is strong enough on the boards. They need help.

The power play remains an enigma. Vigneault needs it to be more proactive. That means winning key offensive draws so they can effectively set up. It falls on Brassard and Stepan to win those faceoffs. If it means using Moore or Miller just to get possession, so be it.

The man-advantage needs to be think shot first. Being more aggressive will put the Caps on their heels. Having Kreider as the net presence on the top unit with Nash on his off wing, either Stepan or Brassard on the opposite side with Boyle and McDonagh at the points would give them more shooting options. If they use Stepan on the left side and have Boyle on the left point with McDonagh on the right, that makes it easier to one-time the puck.

Maybe try Brassard with St. Louis on one point with Yandle manning the other and have Miller and Hayes up front. Or maybe have Brassard run one point since he is more instinctive and not afraid to shoot. Of course, drawing penalties would help. Two power plays isn’t enough.

Henrik Lundqvist has been fine allowing five goals on on 83 shots. He still hasn’t delivered a money performance. You can make the argument in Games 1 and 3, he could’ve had both game-winners. He wasn’t set for Joel Ward’s stunner and did recover in time and cover the post on Jay Beagle’s bank shot off Yandle. He might need to be perfect tonight. Lundqvist has always responded well to a loss. Expect a big game from the Rangers’ franchise player who participated in a team record 100th postseason game Monday.

For the Blueshirts to prevail, they must show urgency for all 60 minutes. In Game 3, they did it at the start and with 10:00 left in the third. They must be relentless. Get pucks deep and finish checks. Work the Caps defense. They are working hard at blocking shots and keeping the Rangers on the perimeter. Make them work harder. By winning the board battles and driving the net, they’ll start to draw penalties and make life more difficult on Holtby.

They must not show panic. They’ve been here before. It’s time to meet the challenge.