New Line Combinations Alain Vigneault Should Try to Spark New York Rangers

Despite a 4-3 victory against the Calgary Flames, Alain Vigneault talked with the media about his line combinations. In an interview posted on Blueshirts United, Vigneault talked about the importance of finding duos and combinations that work.

He noticed that there was one current duo—Derek Stepan and Chris Kreider—that was working, but what other combinations should he employ to try to get the Blueshirts going?

There are only a select number of forwards currently thriving, so here are some line combos that Vigneault should consider putting together.

Mats Zuccarello, Derek Stepan and Rick Nash

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Nash and Stepan already have solid chemistry.

This combination makes too much sense to have not been tried this season. According to Left Wing Lock, these forwards have never been paired, and this line would pack quite an offensive punch for the Rangers.

Both Rick Nash and Mats Zuccarello are talented wingers that have produced admirably this year, and they would be a great duo. Nash would be the line's power forward that plays in the dirty areas of the ice, and Zuccarello could use his speed and agility to track down loose pucks.

Stepan is the team's de facto No. 1 center, so putting him with two skilled wingers like Nash and Zuccarello would make the most sense to keep him active offensively. By pairing these players together, it would allow the Rangers to create some other interesting combinations with the remaining forwards on the roster.

Carl Hagelin, Brad Richards and Chris Kreider

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Kreider and Richards would be a solid duo.

The Rangers' next line would have the potential to be a solid 1B line to the aforementioned 1A line, but at the very least, it would be a decent second line. Chris Kreider and Brad Richards both have had a resurgence this year for the Blueshirts, and the two have complimentary skill sets.

Kreider is one of the fastest players in the NHL, and Richards is still one of the game's better passers. Pairing the two would create opportunities to score on the rush, and it would be a great utilization of their talents.

Adding Carl Hagelin to the mix would only inject an additional element of speed and two-way ability, and it would make the line tough to play against. Having the speed of Kreider and Hagelin would give the Rangers the chance to play dynamically, and Richards' playmaking acumen makes him the perfect pivot for these wingers.

Benoit Pouliot, Derick Brassard, Brian Boyle

The Rangers' third line would be a combination of players that have struggled mightily this season. Brian Boyle is a former 20-goal scorer, Derick Brassard is an inconsistent center that had career numbers during the playoffs and Benoit Pouliot is a No. 4 overall draft choice that has never lived up to his potential.

Although each have had their own separate failures, as a line the trio could thrive. Boyle is a center with size—6'7" and 244 pounds—and Pouliot stands 6'3" and weighs 197 pounds. This combination would allow Boyle to use his size to work down the opposition, and Pouliot could use his speed to tire them out.

By adding Brassard to the mix, the Rangers would have a line that features three players that have shown they can contribute offensively. Although this line would be used primarily as a two-way checking unit, it would be a nice line that could occasionally chip in some offense.

Arron Asham, Dominic Moore and Derek Dorsett

Last but not least would be the Rangers' fourth line. This line would have the potential to be one of the league's better grinding lines. Dominic Moore has had a nice return to the NHL after taking a year off to grieve the loss of his wife, and he is one of the team's top defensive centers.

Derek Dorsett and Arron Asham are two players known for their ability to be physical and tough, but they both have an underrated offensive skill set. From time to time, the two rugged wingers have used their speed and shots to snipe a goal, and that would make this line a dangerous threat.

The primary function of this line would be to inject energy and passion into the team, but it could also contribute offensively from time to time.