Against Atlanta, Sit Del Zotto?

Mike Del Zotto remains very talented, something pretty obvious to the majority of fans. However, he didn’t blow anyone away in Connecticut (even if he was improved) and he hasn’t been lights out upon his return to New York, again, even though he hasn’t been bad. The thing is, the game against the Thrashers on Friday is another massive game for the Rangers if they hope to see playoff hockey come April. The last thing they need is tentative play. It wouldn’t surprise me in the slightest if MDZ is focussed on keeping his roster spot rather than developing and who can blame him. With the demotion noose around his neck it’s hard to look forward when you are always looking back. It’s for that reason the youngster should indeed be sent back down. With Steve Eminger chomping at the bit to get back in – and thanks to his experience a lot less likely to be tentative – it reasons to be sensible to play the veteran instead. Let MDZ get 23 minutes/game back down in the AHL for another few weeks. Let the Whale staff develop his wayward shot in practice rather than have him worry about the powerplay issues in New York.

Eminger makes sense for other reasons. Atlanta are a physical team. They boast big bodies like Andrew Ladd, Dustin Byfuglien, Evander Kane and Anthony Stewart. While Del Zotto, admirably, doesn’t shy away from contact Eminger is clearly the more appropriate person for this game if choosing directly between the two. With the Thrashers getting deep and looking to play the body I’d much rather a hungry, desperate Eminger than a (perhaps) tentative and desperate Mike Del Zotto. So which way will the staff go? Who knows, but they cannot go into this game with the sole intention of improving the powerplay as a/the method to victory so it stands to reason that Del Zotto may not play. Hopefully whoever plays is able to cope with the big bodies of Atlanta while the rest of the Rangers get on with trying to score enough to win. Whether it’s on the power play, who cares. All that matters is a win, regardless of who dresses.