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What's next for NY Rangers' Ryan Strome and Pavel Buchnevich after 'tough night'?

Dec 27, 2019; New York, New York, USA; New York Rangers center Ryan Strome (16) skates with the puck during the first period against the Carolina Hurricanes at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Sarah Stier-USA TODAY Sports

TARRYTOWN - Ryan Strome has woken up many times this season feeling positive vibes from the night before, but Monday was not one of those mornings. 

The New York Rangers' second-line center is in the midst of a breakout season, but a costly mistake — a poorly-timed line change late in Sunday's 2-1 loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets — resulted in the decisive goal.

"Not every day is going to be a good day," Strome said following Monday's practice at the MSG Training Center. "This game will definitely humble you sometimes."

Rather than make sure the Rangers had successfully cleared the puck, Strome turned his back to the play as he exited the ice with about 30 seconds left in regulation. As he was approaching the bench, the Blue Jackets were penetrating the neutral zone.

Moments later, with 26.5 seconds left in a tie game, Oliver Bjorkstrand scored the winning goal for Columbus. 

"The only thing I think I would really do differently is just double check — just check (over) my shoulder," Strome said. "I have to make a better read. That play probably happens a lot in the game and we don't get burned, and then it does. I would have loved to have a little more of a heads-up and check my shoulder and probably just ride (Nick Foligno) down to the goal line and allow the 'D' to slide over and take care of that. But I didn't look. I was tired and just trying to get off."

Strome probably wasn't the only player who woke up feeling lousy. 

Forward Pavel Buchnevich, who has just one goal and four points in his last 13 games, didn't muster a shot on goal and was dropped from the first line all the way to the fourth for the final period.

"Here’s a guy who didn’t practice and is battling the flu, so I give him a lot of credit for that," Rangers coach David Quinn said. "He had a tough night last night. I think he’s still probably feeling a little bit from it. Obviously, he's not getting what he wants from an offensive perspective."

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The loss left the Rangers reeling. 

Prior to the game, Quinn labeled it "as big as any game we’ve played," which added to the stinging defeat. It left the Rangers nine points behind the Blue Jackets for the final wild card spot in the Eastern Conference entering play Monday, with four other teams sitting between them and Columbus. 

The Blueshirts have only one more game — they'll host the Islanders at 7 p.m. Tuesday — before a 10-day break for the all-star game and their bye week. They could quickly erase the bitter taste from Sunday, or allow it to fester with a second consecutive loss.

"We’ve moved on from last night," Quinn said Monday. "Obviously, we need to learn from what happened last night — but we need to move past it as quickly as possible. We can’t let the last minute of last night’s game cost us two hockey games."

New York Rangers right wing Pavel Buchnevich (89) hits the ice as Columbus Blue Jackets right wing Oliver Bjorkstrand (28) looks for his next move during the first period of an NHL hockey game, Sunday, Jan. 19, 2020, in New York. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)

Lineup changes?

Strome ranks second on the team with 42 points (12 goals and 30 assists) through 47 games and has thrived while playing on the same line with leading-scorer Artemi Panarin.

He doesn't seem to be in jeopardy of losing his spot over his late-game mistake, but what will happen with Buchnevich remains to be seen. 

The 24-year-old has played consistently with Mika Zibanejad and Chris Kreider, but Brendan Lemieux — who returned to action Sunday after missing three weeks with a fractured left hand — replaced Buchnevich on that line during the Columbus game and for Monday's practice.

When asked if that's the plan for Tuesday against the Islanders, Quinn said, "Not sure yet."

"Obviously, with (Lemieux) back in the lineup, things do move a little bit," he said.

Pavel Buchnevich #89 of the New York Rangers looses his edge against during the second period the New Jersey Devils at Madison Square Garden on Jan. 9, 2020 in New York City.

The second line with Panarin, Strome and Jesper Fast, as well as the third with Brett Howden, Filip Chytil and Kaapo Kakko, are unlikely to change. 

The main question is whether Quinn will put Lemieux up on the first line and drop Buchnevich to the fourth with Greg McKegg and Brendan Smith, or give Buchnevich another shot.

"He’s a big piece of the puzzle here for us," Quinn said of Buchnevich. "When you have some chances and you don't score, it gets in your head. Not just him — I think it’s what happens to guys that are offensively gifted. I think that might be part of the issue, as well."

Alex Georgiev to start in goal

For the third time in four games, Alexandar Georgiev will be the Rangers' starting goaltender.

It'll also be his third consecutive start against the Islanders after he helped beat the Rangers' top rival twice last week.

New York Rangers goaltender Alexandar Georgiev (40) passes to a teammate during the second period of an NHL hockey game against the New York Islanders Thursday, Jan. 16, 2020, in Uniondale, N.Y.

In five career appearances against the Isles, Georgiev is 4-1 with a 1.40 goals against average and a .955 save percentage.

With rookie Igor Shesterkin starting Sunday against Columbus and a lengthy break set to follow Tuesday's game, veteran Henrik Lundqvist will go at least 20 days in between starts.

He started a 5-2 loss to the St. Louis Blues on Jan. 11 and his next opportunity won't come until Jan. 31 against the Detroit Red Wings. If he doesn't start that game, Lundqvist will have only started two games in the month of January. 

Lundqvist, however, continues to dress as the backup goalie. Shesterkin and Georgiev have been the healthy scratches, depending on who's starting each game.

Quinn explained why he values having Lundqvist on the bench.

"Listen, he’s a guy that carries a lot of weight in that locker room," he said. "I want him around. I want him part of the game — and he wants to be. That’s one of the things we’ve talked about."

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Twitter: @vzmercogliano