VANCOUVER, British Columbia — This isn’t so much a 2017-18 final push for the collection of athletes representing the Rangers, as it is a trial run for 2018-19.
And though the picture for next season will not begin to crystalize until, A) a decision is made on the coaching staff; B) the draft lottery is held in either late April or early May; and, C) selections and moves are made at the draft in late June, different scenarios began to play out on Wednesday when Vladislav Namestnikov made a marvelous first impression by setting up one goal and scoring another on a breakaway in the Rangers’ wild 6-5 overtime victory over the Canucks on John Gilmour’s score at 1:22 in which Henrik Lundqvist faced 55 shots.