A Plan That Will Save The Rangers' Season

Here's how Peter Laviolette can save his Rangers tonight.

In The Maven's course, Hockey 101, there's a true story about the 1942 Stanley Cup Final which Detroit led, three games to none, over Toronto.

Here's how Peter Laviolette can save his Rangers tonight.

In The Maven's course, Hockey 101, there's a true story about the 1942 Stanley Cup Final which Detroit led, three games to none, over Toronto.

Maple Leafs coach Hap Day made a dramatic change; he benched his leading scorer – and future Hall of Famer – Gordie Drillon. He also scratched his best defenseman Bucko McDonald.

Drillon was replaced by mostly-minor leaguer Don Metz while McDonald's place was taken by young rookie Ernie Dickens.

Toronto won the next four straight and the 1942 Stanley Cup. As a public service – and at no cost – I urge Laviolette to make a similar dramatic move. The only difference is that Day had to win four games. Lavvy can do it with two.

With complete seriousness, I checked with several hockey savants for ideas to produce two W's for the Blueshirts. There are two winners and the plan that fits best belongs to Rangers long-time historian and multi-author George Grimm.

It starts with Matt Rempe who Grimm cleverly suggests that the Large Fellow be put on the power play.

Yes, the power play. (Don't matter who you chuck, put him on!)

"I'd have him stand in front of the Panthers net," Grimm explains. "With his size, Rempe will not only be a distraction but he'd draw another big-bodied Florida defenseman and it would create a double-screen."

I like that a lot because it could turn the powerless power play into a game-saver. But that's only Part One of The Grimm Plan which I heartily endorse.

"Laviolette should forget about Fil Chytil and Blake Wheeler," he goes on. "This isn't the middle of the regular season; it's the playoffs. And, oh, yeah, get Kappo Kakko out of there. He brings nothing."

With a slight takeoff on the 1942 Hap Day plan, George suggests that Lavvy reach into his vast collection of Black Aces and put them to work -- the way Hap Day did with Don Metz and Ernie Dickens.

"Get either Zac Jones, Jonny Brodzinski, or Brennan Othmann into the game," Grimm suggests. "Show the Panthers something different."

Then, a pause: Laviolette has got nothing to lose."

Then again, if the head coach does not win tonight, he could wind up losing something; his job!