Pluses:Since Rangers management decided to look toward the future and traded veterans Rick Nash, Ryan McDonagh and J.T. Miller prior to the NHL Trade Deadline, they have played better hockey. They've gone 4-2-1, including sweeping a Western Canada road trip against the Vancouver Canucks, Calgary Flames and Edmonton Oilers. Some of the young forwards and defensemen are getting playing time at the NHL level, which has been good for their development.
Ryan Spooner, who was traded to New York by the Boston Bruins for Nash on Feb. 25, has 13 points (two goals, 11 assists) in eight games, including five multipoint games. The Rangers got a good one in Spooner, who can play all three forward positions and can be used in most situations. He could be a restricted free agent on July 1 and New York would be wise to lock him up. Vladislav Namestnikov, traded to New York for McDonagh and Miller on Feb. 26, has three points (two goals, assist) in seven games. His hands and speed are something that will help the Rangers.
Lastly, goalie Alexandar Georgiev will start for the Rangers. He made 41 saves in a 6-3 win against the Carolina Hurricanes on Monday and is 2-2-0 with a 2.73 GAA and .930 save percentage. He was on a tear before being recalled from Hartford of the American Hockey League and with the Rangers out of the playoff picture, it's a good time to see if the 22-year-old is their goalie of the future when Henrik Lundqvist (36) retires.