Rangers Shuffle Lines to Ignite Offense Amid Three-Game Losing Streak

The New York Rangers are implementing line changes in an effort to break a three-game losing streak and improve their offensive output. The team will face the Edmonton Oilers on Sunday at Madison Square Garden with a reconfigured lineup.

Forward Pavel Dorofeyev has been moved to the top line, where he will play alongside Mika Zibanejad and Alexis Lafrenière. Concurrently, Gabe Perreault is shifting from the first line to the third.

"The last five games or so, I haven’t been as good as I want to be, the same as the team," Perreault stated after practice on Saturday. "I think everyone is trying to get back to where we were. Over the course of the season, there’s a lot of changes in the lineup. We’re trying something new here and hopefully it will be good."

Perreault recorded six points in his initial seven games this season but has managed only one point, a goal against Anaheim, in his last seven contests.

Coach Mike Sullivan expressed optimism about Perreault's potential impact on the third line, which will also feature Noah Laba and Will Cuylle. "We think [Laba and Cuylle] together are a foundation of a line we can utilize a certain way," Sullivan said. "[Perreault’s addition] I think adds an offensive dimension and playmaking ability to that line because Gabe sees the ice really well. I think Gabe’s attention to detail away from the puck sometimes goes unnoticed because when people view Gabe, they point to his offensive ability [and] his playmaking ability. He’s a pretty conscientious player defensively [and] in the right spot a lot."

Sullivan also noted Cuylle's scoring prowess, with 20 goals in each of the past two seasons, and believes Perreault's presence will be beneficial. "Gabe on that line could enhance their [offensive] ability, without a doubt," Sullivan added.

The team is also looking for an improved offensive contribution from Dorofeyev, who has scored just three goals in 14 games this season. Dorofeyev was acquired in a trade from Las Vegas for three draft picks, including two first-rounders, and signed a seven-year, $77 million contract. The expectation was that he would replicate his past two seasons' scoring success of over 35 goals and help replace the offensive production lost when Artemi Panarin departed for Los Angeles.

"We’re trying to find a way to get some chemistry," Zibanejad said. "We’re working together and are figuring each other out. Pavel is a skill guy who can score. We want to make plays to try to get him in areas where he can shoot, but work his way into those areas."

Zibanejad also suggested that Dorofeyev has experienced some misfortune. "It’s not that he hasn’t had any looks," he said. "He’s had looks and gotten close a lot. He’s hit a lot of crossbars. If a few more of those go in, I don’t think we’re talking about this and we’re not switching [lines]. But we want this to work. You always want it to work, it doesn’t matter what line it is, anytime you switch."