By repeating this phrase — or a very similar one — several times in his morning briefing, the message must be important to Rangers coach Alain Vigneault: “We need our top players to lead, and play the way they’re supposed to.”
No names were provided, but looking at the numbers, it’s easy to single out at least four forwards who haven’t been as productive as needed:
Mats Zuccarello, no goals in 12 games; J.T. Miller, one in 11, Rick Nash one in 10; and of course, Derek Stepan, one in 25.
Fast in, Buchnevich out
Right wing Jesper Fast returns to the lineup with his shoulder injury healed, and as expected, rookie winger Pavel Buchnevich will be a healthy scratch.