Prospal's Return Key for Rangers Playoff Push

Amongst all the injury woes during the Rangers’ resilient season thus far, a silver lining will occur tonight on the 54th game of the season; Vinny Prospal makes his season debut at MSG against the New Jersey Devils tonight after being out year recovering from knee surgery. It couldn’t come any sooner for the Rangers, who have struggled offensively all season long.

The 35-year-old center (soon to be 36) will have Marian Gaborik, his partner in production last year, riding shotgun once again. After being put together at the beginning of last season by coach Tortorella, Prospal and Gaborik sparked instant chemistry, which propelled Gaborik to a 42-goal, 86-point campaign while Prospal scored 58 points of his own.

The same has not happened this season. With Prospal out, Gaborik has been searching for consistency all year, seeing time with Artem Anisimov, Erik Christensen, Brian Boyle and Derek Stepan, unable to find that missing piece to his offensive game. You can attribute the inconsistency to Gaborik being out nearly a month nursing a shoulder separation; losing that much time can really throw your timing and offensive flow. Although Gaborik has had 3 hat tricks this season, he’s been regrettably invisible in other games.

No one can quite put their finger on why Prospal and Gaborik work so well together. It could be Prospal’s playmaking ability, knowing where Gaborik likes to be in the offensive zone. Maybe it’s Prospal’s infectious enthusiasm and post-goal celebrations, the best in the NHL in my opinion. Maybe it’s nothing at all, the mentality of just going out there and playing hockey.

Prospal's return to the lineup could also help an anemic power play that sits 23rd in the NHL at 16%. Last year, the Rangers were able to convert 18.3% of their chances, good for 13th best in the NHL. It's not just Prospal's absence that the Rangers PP is not working this year. Other than Gaborik's sup-par season, Michael Del Zotto, rookie sensation last year, has gone through the classic "sophomore slump," losing his spot on the PP and being demoted to the Connecticut Whale. Having your special teams perform well will help win in close games. Remarkably, the Blueshirts have survived so far without their PP converting chances, but that can only last for so long.

Prospal’s return with 29 games to go is nearly equivalent to acquiring a player at the trade deadline. The Rangers sit 7th in the East, 6 points away from being out of the playoff picture, meaning every possible point becomes crucial. Gaborik has the task now of finding a way to rekindle the same offensive prowess he had last year flanking Prospal. He must do so; the Rangers playoff hopes depend on it.