MONTREAL — Eric Staal made his first start on the wing in his 13th game as a Ranger Saturday night, skating in the ninth different alignment Alain Vigneault has shown with Staal since his trade from Carolina on Feb. 28.
It marked just his second move out of the middle to the left side, including a third-period bump onto a line with Derick Brassard and Mats Zuccarello in Staal’s first game as a Blueshirt on Feb. 29 against Columbus.
Saturday’s move may have been the coach’s way of giving Kevin Hayes one last chance, back in his more comfortable center position, to validate six straight games dressed ahead of Oscar Lindberg.