The Rangers are likely out of the playoff race, but that doesn’t mean they can’t build some confidence heading into next season. Beating Buffalo is one of those ways. Alexis Lafreniere looked good on the top line the other game, so he will likely stick there. I’d love to see Kaapo Kakko reunited with Artemi Panarin and Ryan Strome, but that may be pushing things.
The defense pairs are still up in the air with Jacob Trouba’s injury, but I’d like to see Hajek-Smith stay as the third pair. That leaves the other four to divvy up the minutes.