The Rangers, after a day off, returned to practice today. Coach Gerard Gallant made changes to the power play alignment, at least in practice, while the even strength lines were the same as Games 1-3. Game 5 is Thursday in New Jersey

Keys to tomorrow, at least per the Rangers' players quotes:
For us as fans, a little bit more time to purge the negative energy and be positive for Game 5. For the players, it's an Etch-a-Sketch, wipe the slate clean, learn from Games 3 and 4 and come back with renewed energy..That seemed to be the theme of the comments below from Jacon Trouba, Tyler Motte and Filip Chytil.

Learn from the mistakes. Remain focused. Stay the course and don't get too or low.

Focus on . pic.twitter.com/rDPuLSVQBo

— New York Rangers (@NYRangers) April 26, 2023

Lines:
If they look familiar, it's because they are. After mixing up the top-six in Game 4 in an attempt to generate offense. Gallant is sticking with the same center/winger combinations, meaning that Zib, Trocheck and Chytil all skate with their current linemates. Time will tell if this is the right choice and how long the units stay as is. Irrespective of the combinations, puck management, limiting the giveaways after 34 the last two games, and better decisions overall are the keys.

#NYR practice lines:

Kreider - Zib - Kane
Panarin - Trocheck - Tarasenko
Laf - Chytil - Kakko
Vesey - Goodrow - Motte

GG going back to the same look as he had in Games 1-3.

— Vince Z. Mercogliano (@vzmercogliano) April 26, 2023

Power Play:
Gallant is using in essence a reverse umbrella if you can picture the alignment described by Vince Mercogliano. This alignment should hopefully open lanes for passes and also result in additional player movement, especially if Patrick Kane is allowed to roam. In addition, it widens the defense since no one is directly in the middle as a focus and could allow for high-low passing if Kane or Zib moves to the bumper spot.

Granted, New Jersey and everyone is now aware of the change, meaning it might be a decoy, But even if that is the case, the change has to be something the Devils need to prepare for and one the team now has some experience in using. At worst, this allows for creativity, allowing options from this set up, and also puts Mika back in his familiar position, where he tallied most of his 20 PPG, 19 of which came on one-timers.

Lots of movement. We've seen Kane slide into the bumper and come up to the point. And Panarin just freelanced over to the left side and scored on a one-timer. But, again, starting position has Mika back in his one-timer office. #NYR https://t.co/peekFdyKg6

— Vince Z. Mercogliano (@vzmercogliano) April 26, 2023

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