Victor Mancini trying to find the positives as early-season Rangers scratches add up

DETROIT — Victor Mancini captured the Rangers coaching staff’s attention in the preseason with a body of work that demanded a lineup spot right out of training camp. From his toughness in possession battles, escape-ability with the puck and knack for taking opponents out of the play, the rookie defenseman continued to earn his spot game after game while Ryan Lindgren, a top-four staple, recovered from jaw surgery. Even when Lindgren returned, Mancini stayed in the lineup, played alongside him and ultimately skated in nine of the first 10 games of the season.He beat out Chad Ruhwedel, who the Rangers were willing to lose on waivers on Oct.

24 in order to keep Mancini around. Ruhwedel ultimately cleared and was assigned to AHL Hartford.The last three straight games, however, Mancini has been kept in street clothes as head coach Peter Laviolette works through his defensive pair options amid a tough stretch. “It’s been just somewhat internal of taking things day by day and making sure when I’m on the ice trying to be as locked in as I can in practice,” Mancini told The Post on Saturday morning, after staying on the Little Caesars Arena ice extra long with fellow healthy scratch Jonny Brodzinski.“When I get that extra time on the ice with the coaches by myself, just making sure I’m trying to do the right things and working on my game, working on skills. “On top of that, just being a good teammate, being supportive.

I think our team, we’ve hit some ups and downs, but I think we’re just a really powerful team.When we’re clicking, things are heading in the right direction — just being supportive of that.

Being supportive of the guys in practice and off the ice has been what I’ve been trying to do.” No one wants a 22-year-old who has shown so much promise in such a small amount of time to be collecting dust in the press box. Especially for a young defenseman, game reps are so important for a player’s development. But if Mancini has ...