Peter Laviolette will have some big decisions to make for the Rangers going into a pivitol Game 5 matchup against the Hurricanes.
Tonight you'll find out why Peter Laviolette gets paid big money by Jim Dolan.
So far, Pistol Pete has earned his moolah by winning a Presidents' Trophy, plus a sweep of the feeble Capitals.
And, up until Saturday night, The Maven thought that a sweep of the mighty Hurricanes would be added to Lavvy's resume. But ex-Ranger Brady Skjei ruined the last page of that novel.
Which means that the Rangers head coach must make some pivotal decisions tonight before his troops skate on to friendly ice. To wit:
1. TROUBA'S TROUBLES: Captain Jake ain't what he used to be on the New York blue line; and that's being kind. Analytics this: Trouba has been on the ice for seven straight Carolina goals. If his name was Braden Schneider he'd have been benched by now; except for the fact that he wears the "C". Tough call for Pete but I'd rest Trouba tonight and play young, adept Zac Jones instead.
2. CHYTIL'S ISSUES: Rangers censors leave us uncertain precisely what caused Fil to play well in Game Three and then get scratched from Game Four because of some specific-less "illness." Let's say that Fil says he's "just fine" to play tonight. Would such a gamble be worth it, based on Chytil's previous problems? A healthy Chytil would go a long way toward balancing Laviolette's lines, as he did during the Game Three win, but. And -- don't kid yourself -- it is a big BUT.
3. SHESTERKIN'S FATIGUE FACTOR: Unlike the Canes who "rested" starting goalie Frederik Andersen in Game Three, Lavvy is running all the way with Prince Igor. A hot Iggy never gives up four goals as he did in Raleigh. It could be an aberration or maybe -- just maybe -- attrition is affecting Shesterkin's game. At this point in the series, Jonathan Quick is worth a gamble, but you and I know it won't happen.
With a three-one series lead, the Rangers are right where they want to be tonight -- at home. But that won't be worth a mountain of beans if the Canes keep coming on; and there are experts -- ex-NHLer and TSN's Marty Biron, for one -- who like Carolina's chances.
"They've got to get to Shesterkin early like they did in Raleigh," says Biron. "The Canes are trending in the right direction."
Now it's up to Laviolette to get his lineup correctly aligned and, once and for all, end the series.
MAVEN'S WARNING: Another trip to Hurricane-land could blow this series wide open.