Rangers turning to Brett Berard in hopes of shock to system after disappointing road trip

The Rangers had already been back home for a relatively full night’s sleep when Brett Berard was announced as a healthy scratch ahead of the AHL Wolf Pack’s 4 p.m.Sunday game against the Bridgeport Islanders in Hartford, Conn.Indeed, the 22-year-old was on his way to New York on his first official Rangers call-up in the wake of a disconcerting end to the varsity club’s four-game trip.It appears as though the Blueshirts are turning to their AHL affiliate’s leading scorer to provide a shock to the system.The Rangers presumably would not recall Berard unless there were intention to play him.

Just like they wouldn’t have shipped Victor Mancini across the country if he wasn’t going to replace an injured Zac Jones against the Oilers on Saturday night.Mancini, by the way, was returned along with Chad Ruhwedel to Hartford in a subsequent move.It is a good sign for Jones, but to have Mancini fly out for just one game instead of playing Ruhwedel, who was already on the trip, was a telling decision — especially if only to return Mancini the next day.It was all very indicative of head coach Peter Laviolette’s evaluation of his blue line.Berard could be in line to make his NHL debut on Monday night against the Blues at Madison Square Garden.Laviolette is likely looking to jump-start his team amid a month of middling play by the Rangers, who have made it quite difficult to project exactly how they stack up to the rest of the NHL.They’ll win games they have no business being in, like the 4-0 victory over Detroit.A single period can serve as a detriment against any opponent, such as the middle frame in the 6-1 loss to the Sabres.The power play was ranked 10th in the NHL at the conclusion of this road trip, a low mark for a group that has consistently owned the top spots for a few seasons now.Most nights, only one line is able to sustain zone time.

Defending the rush has become a weakness against teams who excel in that area.The Rangers had a chance to feel reall...