The New York Rangers head coach believes in a consistent lineup as a principal solution for gameplay issues.
It's no secret the New York Ranger's recent stretch has seen goals allowed in bunches, and opportunities surrendered off the rush.
Those holes were exposed in matchups against the Ottawa Senators, San Jose Sharks, and Toronto Maple Leafs. The answer for head coach Peter Laviolette is simple, run it back.
The club has succeeded in the next-man-up department, with players such as Adam Fox spending a month on the LTIR, Igor Shesterkin and Ryan Lindgren missing a handful of games, and now K'Andre Miller absent for personal reasons.
Does that rattle Laviolette's lineup decisions? Spoiler, it does not, "The lineup has been fairly consistent despite the injuries...It's not like Jones came in and played with [Jacob] Trouba. Jones and Schneider had played together before and played well..."
FULL QUESTION AND ANSWER (Credit: New York Rangers):
The Braden Schneider and Zac Jones pairing was a -2 in Tuesday's contest. Laviolette stated, "At times there's tough bounces for them...I think they move the puck well, I think they are a good pair. I'd like to see that switch too, where they are on for more goals for than against."
The bench boss also acknowledged Zac Jones's unique situation, "Jonesy has come in where he's off for a while and he's a guy that moves the puck well and skates well."
His lineup philosophy does not only apply to the defense. The Rangers have had a few injury scares with forwards such as Barclay Goodrow losing part of his jaw, Jimmy Vesey taking a puck to the face in practice, and Kaapo Kakko and Filip Chytil sidelined long-term.
"With the forwards the same thing, there has been very little movement so I feel there has been stability with that. Even when a game hasn't gone our way, I'd like to address things, and in most games, they have responded the right way" He continued, "The guys have recognized an off night and come back with the same exact lines and we've been able to play the right way and win."
The Blueshirts have skated in several bounce-back games this season following a few lackluster performances. Following losses against the Nashville Predators (4-0), Minnesota Wild (5-4), Dallas Stars (6-3), Buffalo Sabres (5-1), and Washington Capitals (4-0), they found a way to convincingly when the next game.
For the Rangers, it's about taking things day by day: one morning skate, one practice, one game at a time. That recipe has allowed a team that's faced adversity to succeed despite the odds.
MORE FROM THN: