Eric Staal has recorded three points (one goal, two assists) in 11 games as a Ranger, having gone seven straight since his lone goal in blue on March 6 against the Islanders.
But Alain Vigneault volunteered for a fair measure of blame for the center’s lack of production since coming to Broadway from Carolina in the Feb. 28 deal that beat the deadline clock by one day.
“I haven’t put him in ideal situations — it’s my fault,” said the coach, whose team faces the Bruins at the Garden on Wednesday. “I’ve been moving personnel around trying to find the right chemistry with the lines.”
Staal has played with five different sets of wingers. Vigneault broke up the successful Staal-berg Connection featuring No. 12 between wingers Oscar Lindberg and Viktor Stalberg after three games in order to accommodate Rick Nash’s return to the lineup after a six-week absence.
Then, it became necessary to move Stalberg onto the fourth line with Dominic Moore and Tanner Glass in order to give the Blueshirts the requisite amount of depth and balance. Stalberg moved down, and Nash moved up after a pair of games with Staal.
But while Stalberg has thrived with his new mates, Lindberg mysteriously has been a healthy scratch for four straight while Staal has idled playing between J.T. Miller and Kevin Hayes.
It’s anybody’s guess how the Rangers will line up against the Bruins. Vigneault juggled his top three units during Tuesday’s practice and indicated he would have done so even if Nash, who didn’t participate after waking up feeling “a little sore,” had been able to skate.
Most notably, Staal was flanked by top-six staple Chris Kreider on the left and Lindberg on the right. Hayes was on the left with Derick Brassard and Jesper Fast, and Miller skated with Derek Stepan and Mats Zuccarello.
“I was just trying to experiment,” said the coach. “I moved Kreids down just to take a look at what speed on the left side of Eric would do.”
Vigneault credited Marty St. Louis’ influence when acknowledging Zuccarello’s practice work ethic and dedication to adding onto and improving his game.
“That goal he scored [Monday], that’s a highly skilled play from a highly skilled player,” Vigneault said of the second-period power-play snap shot from the inner edge of the right circle that rocketed into the top left corner of the net. “I don’t think he had that shot three years ago.
“He spent a lot of time with Marty. You know how Marty would work at practice, how he’d shoot the puck from all over, shoot the puck while laying on his stomach. Mats spent a long time with him analyzing what he did.”
Vigneault said, “Again, it’s going to take some time,” when asked about Nash, who scored his first goal and played his strongest game Monday against Florida since returning on March 12. Nash, who hadn’t scored in 14 games since Dec. 30, will be evaluated following Wednesday’s morning skate.
Staal remained on the ice for at least 30 minutes following the conclusion of practice, first working with Kreider regarding play on the walls, then firing pucks into an empty net.
“I like to see that from a veteran guy and not only with a young guy,” Vigneault said. “If Dominic Moore needs help and Step could help him, I’d expect that.”
Dylan McIlrath was cleared for contact and participated fully in practice. The coach made no promises about getting No. 6 some playing time once he’s ready to go, which, according to Vigneault would be “within the week.”