The last two games of the season are basically meaningless games for the New York Rangers. They are meaningless in the sense that the Rangers have already clinched the President’s Trophy, but they are still games in which bad habits need not creep. The Rangers need to play their game, continue to counter attack off the rush, continue to forecheck, continue to play defense, and so on and so forth.

However, the Rangers would certainly benefit from giving some of their guys some rest. This isn’t likely to come in the form of multiple call ups from the Hartford Wolf Pack, as they are headed to the Calder Cup Playoffs. With one spare forward and no spare defensemen, finding rest is going to be a bit of a challenge.

First, Alain Vigneault acknowledged yesterday on the Michael Kay Show that Mats Zuccarello needs one more game and that Kevin Klein will not be back in time for this weekend. Right there eliminates rest for the defense, and at least one game of rest for a forward.

Assuming Zuccarello is ready for the Saturday game against the Washington Capitals, it might behoove Alain Vigneault to rest one of his forwards. If it weren’t for his recent time off due to a knee injury, I’d say this is where Martin St. Louis could benefit. Perhaps he could use the extra day, but I doubt it. Of the regular forwards, I don’t think there are any that appear to be fatigued or fighting through muscle aches/pains, at least from what’s made public.

On defense, Dan Girardi is probably the most in need of a rest day. He could use the time to attach those new cyborg body parts that he gets each season. Dan Boyle may benefit from an extra day off. So could Ryan McDonagh. Well, the entire blue line could. But Klein’s out.

The best way for the Rangers to get some additional rest is plain and simple: Roll four lines and three pairs throughout the entire game. Match up where need be, but get an equal amount of playing time for all players at even strength.

Use this time to practice that atrocious powerplay. Use this time to practice the 5-on-3, preferably without two guys playing catch behind the net. I’d say use this time to work on the penalty kill, but that’s pretty set.

There’s no need to see guys in the 20 minute range for ice time these last two games. Let some of the guys who don’t normally see a ton of shifts get some more time. Everyone is going to need a little extra leg strength over the next –hopefully– two months.

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