New York Rangers vs Ottawa Senators: Six Players To Watch

Apr 8, 2017; Ottawa, Ontario, CAN; New York Rangers left wing Jimmy Vesey (26) skates with the puck in front of Ottawa Senators defenseman Chris Wideman (6) in the first period at Canadian Tire Centre. Mandatory Credit: Marc DesRosiers-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 8, 2017; Ottawa, Ontario, CAN; New York Rangers left wing Jimmy Vesey (26) skates with the puck in front of Ottawa Senators defenseman Chris Wideman (6) in the first period at Canadian Tire Centre. Mandatory Credit: Marc DesRosiers-USA TODAY Sports /
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New York Rangers vs Ottawa Senators: Six Players To Watch
Mar 11, 2017; Denver, CO, USA; Ottawa Senators center Derick Brassard (19) in the first period against the Colorado Avalanche at the Pepsi Center. The Senators won 4-2. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports /

Derick Brassard

When the Rangers acquired Mika Zibanejad from the Senators they had to send Brassard to Ottawa in the trade package. It was a trade that worked out well for both sides, as Brassard was a useful player for the Senators like Zibanejad was for the Rangers.

In the regular season, Brassard was fifth on the team with 39 points, scoring 14 goals with 25 assists. He was the second leading Senators center in the regular season and really stepped things up against the Bruins in Round One.

Against Boston Brassard was the Senators leading scorer. He handed out six assists and scored two goals. The Rangers know what Brassard is capable of and have to find a way to slow him down after a hot series against the Bruins.

Like Zibanejad, Brassard scored his lone goal of the season against his former team in the third and final matchup. He will have some extra motivation when he returns to Madison Square Garden to try and record his first point at his former home arena playing against his old team.