Along with all the intrigue about the young Rangers forwards during the preseason, the mystery of the last spots on the blue line had its own narrative. Coach Alain Vigneault first said he would keep seven defensemen. Then he favored having eight, which is how the Blueshirts began the season. But thinking about the big-picture effects of the salary cap, he said recently that seven was the preferred number.
Suddenly, just two games into the season, the Rangers (1-1) are down to six healthy defensemen _ Dan Girardi left Saturday's game in St. Louis early in the second period with a hip-flexor injury that Vigneault said would be "more than day to day."
Meanwhile, Kevin Klein hasn't played a minute yet because of back spasms that has not allowed him to skate all week. It was unclear whether the 29-year-old veteran was on the ice Sunday _ a day off as the team traveled home _ but even if he did, Klein would not have the benefit of a full practice to test his mettle before Monday's visit from the San Jose Sharks (2-0).
So it's back to Dylan McIlrath, the man in the middle of the shuffling _ and the subject of trade rumors _ who'll likely be stepping in Monday after being a healthy scratch for two games, and playing to stick as a sixth/seventh defenseman when the injuries heal and the ice chips fall where they may.
The 6-foot-5 McIlrath, a first-round draft pick in 2010, played 34 regular-season games last season and one playoff game, and had two goals and two assists. Points were never his specialty, all the way back to the Moose Jaw Warriors, where he was prized for his muscle. And part of his value remains, his unerring willingness to stand up for teammates. When Flyers defenseman Radko Gudas blasted rookie Jimmy Vesey face-first into the boards from behind in an Oct. 3 preseason game, McIlrath skated across the ice right for Gudas and started throwing punches at him.
Adam Clendening, 23, has been playing the right side on the third defense pair with Brady Skjei, and on the second power-play unit. Now with Girardi and Klein, both righties, hobbled, there's an opening for McIlrath. Against the Sharks, the top four will presumably be some combination of Ryan McDonagh, Marc Staal, Nick Holden and Skjei, unless Clendening moves up and Skjei is joined by McIlrath.
Last season, McIlrath also made the team out of camp, and played 17 games in October and November, but just three in December, nine in January, two in February and finally, only three in March, when he missed 10 games with a knee injury.
"I know I can play here," McIlrath said. "I just have to be more consistent."
How long McIlrath's stint lasts this time is unknown. But he has another chance to make his case.
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