Sacrifice is a word that’s come up in the Rangers locker room on more than one occasion this year as the club banded together to overcome every obstacle that presented itself on their way to finishing the regular season atop the NHL.
Lost in the excitement of capturing the Presidents’ Trophy and gearing up for the playoffs, however, was perhaps the most delicate situation that required a selfless response.
Jacob Trouba was demoted to the third defensive pairing in the final two games of the regular season and looks primed to remain there for at least Game 1 of the first-round series against the Capitals on Sunday after the Rangers captain struggled in his first seven contests back from one of the longer injury stretches of his 11-year career.
“I don’t view it as a bad thing,” Trouba told The Post after practice Friday at MSG Training Center. “I think it’s kind of a different role, a different opportunity to do some things. Obviously, things can change quickly, so there’s no real like — obviously, not upset. I think our team is going to be a better team if we can all play better hockey.
“If [Braden Schneider] plays the way he’s playing, that’s great for the team. I’m excited for the new little change and we’ll see how things go going into the playoffs.”
That’s just about the most ideal attitude anyone could want from a team leader who had the final month and a half of the season that Trouba did.
It’s fitting, too, considering Trouba has been one of the top sources of this all-for-one-and-one-for-all mantra that has trickled down through the rest of the Rangers.
Nothing is more important than preserving that mentality at this time of year, and Trouba has handled what could’ve been a touchy situation with the utmost grace and understanding.
The upside of swapping Trouba with Schneider, as head coach Peter Laviolette pointed out, is that ice time can be more evenly distributed among the Rangers defensemen.
Such was the case in the final two games, over which Trouba was much sharper and steadier.
“The last couple were much better,” he said. “It was a bit of a struggle coming back from the injury for a bit, I don’t think that’s a secret. I thought I worked through it. Hadn’t come back from an injury in quite some time, so it was a bit of a different feeling. But I feel like I got back to where I want to be when the playoffs start.
“That juice and that energy starts rolling, I think I’ll be fine. I’m looking forward to playing in the playoffs again and getting another crack at this.”
Now playing alongside Erik Gustafsson instead of K’Andre Miller, whom Trouba has skated next to in almost every game he’s played this season, the 30-year-old blueliner said he hasn’t had to make too many adjustments.
There may be a few different matchups and more offensive-zone starts, but Trouba views it as a different role rather than a demotion.
He praised what Miller and Schneider have done as a pairing, noting that their success makes the Rangers a better team and gives them a better chance to win.
“Playoffs, the team is ready,” Trouba said of what he learned about being a captain in the playoffs during last season’s first-round exit against the Devils. “There isn’t a whole lot of rah-rah, getting people ready. I think building throughout the season and staying on the course is the main thing. Obviously, there’s going to be moments where you have to lead, but honestly you’re building up for this and now it’s time to just go. Everybody knows what they’re doing, where we fit in on the team, what our roles are.
“There will be probably a moment or two where [there’s] something to say, but for the most part, this is the time where you just let guys play. We’re feeling good, we feel together as a team. Most of the legwork goes in prior to playoffs, honestly.”