As there was a lineup change that turned the tide of the first round, so Rangers coach Alain Vigneault hoped it would work again in the second round.
Vigneault inserted rugged winger Tanner Glass into the lineup for his team’s dominant 4-1 win over the Senators in Game 3 of their second-round series on Tuesday night at the Garden. Glass replaced talented rookie winger Pavel Buchnevich as the Blueshirts cut Ottawa’s lead in the best-of-seven contest, 2-1.
Glass had been a healthy scratch since he was replaced in the lineup by Buchnevich in Game 4 of the opening round against the Canadiens, with the Rangers going on to win three straight and take the series in six games.
“He brought — and he brings what he brings every time we dress him — he’s intense and when he gets an opportunity to finish a check, he does,” Vigneault said of Glass, who collected an assist on a goal from his center, Oscar Lindberg, after a great individual effort from the third member of the unit, J.T. Miller.
“He was able to chip in on Oscar’s first goal,” Vigneault said, “so it was a positive output.”
Buchnevich, 22, looked a bit overwhelmed in Game 2 against the Senators, and Vigneault only gave him one shift after the second period in a game that went to double overtime. Yet the coach tried to deflect blame from the young Russian in his first year in North America, instead saying he wanted to go with other players who looked on top of their games.
“Most of the time, it probably has to do more with some other guys on the ice that I feel have got it,” Vigneault said. “Sometimes as a coach you feel certain players got their game and they’re playing well.”
Vigneault made another adjustment, playing defensemen Brady Skjei and Brendan Smith more than he had in the past. The order of time on ice for Vigneault’s blueliners was Ryan McDonagh (26:52), Skjei (20:13), Dan Girardi (20:00), Smith (19:39), Marc Staal (16:17) and Nick Holden (14:29).
As far as making lineup decisions, Vigneault had said he consulted with general manager Jeff Gorton, as is often the case, and Gorton had many suggestions.
“He always does,” Vigneault said. “Every game he’s got tons of ideas.”
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Asked if he implements those ideas, and Vigneault smiled.
“Yes, he’s a good hockey guy,” he said.
Forward Derek Stepan played in his 94th career playoff game with the club, the most of any forward in team history. He is fourth all-time (third among skaters) behind defensemen Staal and Girardi, with goalie Henrik Lundqvist No. 1 overall.
Stepan also notched an assist, his 47th career playoff point, tying Ron Duguay for eighth place on the franchise’s all-time playoff points list.