NY Rangers 4th line rotation between Jimmy Vesey and Tyler Pitlick

The Rangers will play their fourth game tonight against Nashville, and it will be their fourth game with a 4th line rotation. The Rangers 4th line rotation between Jimmy Vesey and Tyler Pitlick is somewhat expected. Many expected Pitlick to jump into the lineup based on matchups, and from the preseason it was known Vesey was going to be the odd man out when Pitlick was in.

What was relatively unexpected is that the Rangers 4th line rotation has nothing to do with matchup. It’s an every other game thing for now, regardless of the opponent. Pitlick was in for the first and third games. With Vesey drawing in tonight, he will be in for the second and fourth games.

The Rangers 4th line rotation is a good thing, as it keeps everyone fresh and in game shape. There’s no discernible difference between Vesey or Pitlick at the moment. Both have been solid, if unspectacular. Both are on cheap contracts. So far, Peter Laviolette has done a good job managing his lineup, including rotating both Vesey and Pitlick.

Instead of keeping us filled with drama, Laviolette is keeping it simple. They play every other game as the 12F/13F, and it’s anyone’s guess who will actually become the regular, if that even occurs.

There are two other roster questions: The first is about Jonathan Quick, which we answered this morning. The second is about Zac Jones, who has not done enough to supplant Erik Gustafsson yet. It seems like only an injury will result in Jones getting more ice time.