Kevin Hayes might be the man out as Rangers shuffle lines

GREENBURGH, N.Y. — Whether Rangers forward Kevin Hayes faces his older brother Jimmy against the Bruins on Wednesday at Madison Square Garden comes down to these factors: His recent play, the status of Eric Staal and Rick Nash and whether Oscar Lindberg, a healthy scratch for four games, returns to the lineup.

The 6-5 Hayes, who impressed as a rookie with 17 goals and 45 points in 79 games, has not lived up to last year’s promise. The Boston College product has 12 goals and 32 points in 71 games, but just a goal and two assists and a handful of defensive lapses in his last 13 games.

Getting Eric Staal more productive could be a key element in forcing Hayes to the sideline.

Lindberg took Hayes’ spot with Staal and Chris Kreider, and J.T. Miller joined Derek Stepan and Mats Zuccarello, as coach Alain Vigneault continued to tinker with his top lines in practice with nine games left in the season.

“Just trying to experiment,” said Vigneault, whose experiments often become reality. “I moved Kreids down to take a look at what speed on the left side of Eric would do. I haven’t placed him (Staal) in the ideal situations: My fault. I’ve moved personnel around, trying to find the right chemistry. We moved (Viktor) Stalberg (to the fourth line) to give us a bit more balance. That seems to have worked as far as being able to play a steadier four-line rotation. The other three, I’m still searching.”

With Nash not practicing after experiencing some soreness in his left leg, which is healing from a bone bruise sustained on Jan. 22, Hayes temporarily was in his spot with Derick Brassard and Jesper Fast.

A move might also benefit Kreider, who stayed long after practice working with Staal, who has a goal and two assists in 11 games while playing with five different partners since being acquired from Carolina.

If Nash plays, either Hayes and Lindberg wouldn’t and the shuffling would continue.

Notes & quotes. Rookie Dylan McIlrath, out seven games with a right knee injury, was cleared to practice, and rotated with Dan Boyle on the third defense pair. McIlrath should be ready to step in, if needed, within a week.