TAMPA – I have to admit, I didn’t notice this remark by Alain Vigneault on Sunday night at first, but I wonder if the Rangers coach was taking a shot at someone when explaining the difference in Benoit Pouliot’s play since healthy scratches on Dec. 7 and Dec. 10.
 
“I’d have to say the same thing as maybe Mats Zuccarello,” Vigneault said. “Both those guys were having a real hard time with their game. Both sat out. Both didn’t complain to the world about being sat out. What they did was they rolled their sleeves (up) and they got to work, and even though I thought they both were working real hard, they both analyzed their game and found a way to get it back on track, and both players are useful pieces to our team right now.”
 
Did you notice it?
 
“Both didn’t complain to the world about being sat out.”
 
POWER PLAY, LUNDQVIST EARN RANGERS 4-3 WIN OVER LIGHTNING

Now I know Vigneault didn’t name names, and I will ask him for clarification at practice today (Monday), but there is only one skater on this team who has been quoted this year taking issue with being scratched: Michael Del Zotto.

The 23-year-old defenseman told the Daily News in October following the first of seven eventual healthy scratches: “I’m not happy,” and has reiterated that sentiment since – though Del Zotto also has stayed in line and said dutifully that when called upon, he will just have to work harder and play better.
 
Henrik Lundqvist of course also has been scratched often and disgruntled, and two straight Cam Talbot starts did result almost immediately in a seven-year contract extension for Lundqvist. Still, the goalie never disagreed strongly with Vigneault publicly, regardless of what he said behind the scenes. He knew his play hadn’t been good enough.
 
Del Zotto, who did not speak after Sunday’s game, had played better lately, but given an opportunity to praise the defenseman the other day at practice, Vigneault said a lukewarm “he’s been better” and then went into an explanation about how Anton Stralman’s injury during the Washington game had led to increased minutes for others, Del Zotto included.
 
Then on Sunday morning, Vigneault grouped Del Zotto with the unproven John Moore and rookie Conor Allen, who hadn’t even made his NHL debut yet, among the “young players … we need more from” on the blue line with Stralman and Marc Staal out. I know Del Zotto is young, but it’s almost like he’s talked about as if he did nothing before this season.
 
Now, for certain, Del Zotto played poorly on Sunday night against Tampa Bay, and he made the decision easier for Vigneault to play others ahead of him. Still, it all combined for a tough day for Del Zotto all around.
 
Here is the breakdown of shifts and minutes for Rangers defensemen against the Lightning: Ryan McDonagh (team-high 27:56, 32 shifts), Dan Girardi (26:30, 31 shifts), John Moore (season-high 22:26, 29 shifts), Del Zotto (16:43, 21 shifts), Allen (15:47, 22 shifts), Justin Falk (8:45, 14 shifts).
 
Then here is Vigneault on why Allen played so much in the third period:
 
“He was one of our better D’s,” the coach said. “He outplayed some of our other guys, and he deserved to be out there. He was poised with the puck, wasn’t afraid to take a hit to make a play, and that’s why he got that ice time.”

NOTES AND NOTES AND …
Hey, did you hear about the Lightning’s giveaway at Tampa Bay Times Forum Sunday night? The first 20 Rangers received a free puck (Buh-doom-chsh) … Derek Stepan was much better early on, with multiple takeaways, including one before Rick Nash’s first goal in eight games. He wasn’t great throughout the game but also made a big blocked shot in the third period that hit him, well, below the waist. Stepan said after the game, though, that he was fine … Nash scored and drew penalty that led to a power play goal but thereafter again wasn’t the dominant force the Rangers need him to be. Hence Vigneault’s lukewarm review: “(Nash) had some good looks tonight, getting that goal right off the hump I think helped him on a personal note. Him, like Hank, they have to take this as one step, build off it and be better next game.” … Vigneault on what he can do to help Lundqvist build off this win: “I don’t think there’s a lot I can do. I think Henrik is an elite goaltender. He knows how to get his game in order … Tonight he obviously was the difference in the third period.” What Vigneault can do, of course, is start Lundqvist on New Year’s Eve against the Panthers, which is a no-brainer … Vigneault used J.T. Miller’s line to start both the first and second periods. Miller at center struggled more this game than he has. His line either seemed to have a great shift or a really poor one, including multiple turns that resulted in long defensive-zone sequences where the Rangers couldn’t get the puck out … The Rangers’ power play goals came eight seconds, 77 seconds and 69 seconds, respectively, into their first three man advantages. That’s because Vigneault continued to use Pouliot, Zuccarello and Brassard as his first unit with Brad Richards and Ryan McDonagh, instead of Chris Kreider, Stepan and Nash, who have been moved down to the second group. Kreider scored the second power play goal, but the assist came from Zuccarello, who still was on ice from the beginning of that second man advantage. “We got some lucky bounces,” Zuccarello said of his bank shot off a Lightning defenseman Radko Gudas’ skate. “But it was clicking for us tonight, and it was nice to get a few and make up for all the games we haven’t been able to finish.”
 
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