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NHL New York Rangers

Derek Stepan’s Return Will Give New York Rangers More Balance

By @bfitzsports

Derek Stepan Injury

Sergei Belski-USA TODAY Sports

The New York Rangers have been decimated by injuries during the first month of the NHL season, and none of them have hurt as much as the one to No. 1 center Derek Stepan. Stepan broke his leg during training camp, not having played a game yet in this young season. Stepan has been the Rangers’ most consistent forward over the past three seasons and was expected to play a role in every situation for Alain Vigneault. However, Stepan is expected to be back for the Rangers’ game this Saturday against the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Everyone is wondering what the Rangers’ line combinations will look like once Stepan returns, and what Vigneault does could affect this team for the rest of the season.

If you recall last season, the Rangers got off to a putrid start and did not find their game, and lines, until Christmas time. The Rangers have gotten off to a much better start this season, however, and are beginning to find themselves quicker than the team last year. With Stepan’s return, the Rangers’ should be back at full strength with regards to their forwards. With Stepan back now, it will allow the team to get continuity with their line combinations, but what will those lines look like?

Stepan has shown to have chemistry with both Rick Nash and Chris Kreider over the last two seasons. But Nash is showing to have some good chemistry with Derick Brassard and Martin St. Louis. That line has carried the Rangers over the last few games with their depleted lineup. Stepan could find himself centering the second line with Kreider and Mats Zuccarello. This would move Kevin Hayes down the third-line center role, which would also bump Dominic Moore down to his comfortable fourth-line spot. Tanner Glass or Anthony Duclair would likely be the odd man out in this situation.

These lines give the Rangers better balance up front and allow them to slide players down into roles where they don’t have to play too prominent of a role, like Moore for example. Vigneault has shown that he will continue to tinker with his lines until he finds combinations that click. With Stepan’s return, the Rangers’ lines will look like the ones mentioned and give them better balance through their lineup.

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