Rangers' Jonny Brodzinski could be inserted back into lineup against Canadiens after being healthy scratch versus Toronto

MONTREAL — Jonny Brodzinski had to sit out Saturday’s game in Toronto as a healthy scratch, but the forward understands the rotation concept that Rangers coach Peter Laviolette is using for his fourth line.

“I get where we're coming from,’’ Brodzinski said after the Rangers’ Monday afternoon practice at the Bell Centre in advance of Tuesday’s game against the Canadiens. “And ‘Lavi’ said it wasn't anything that I did [wrong]. We had a really good game [Thursday in Detroit], played in the offensive zone pretty much the whole game, created a lot of chances and sustained pressure and helped out the next line.

“And so there's nothing on me personally. It’s just getting ‘Remps’ [Matt Rempe] out there. And he can do a great job, too. So it's just kind of switching in and out and I'll be ready when I'm called upon.’’

Based on Monday’s practice, it looks as if Brodzinski is going back in on Tuesday when the Rangers close out their three-game road trip. Brodzinski, who has played in three of the Rangers' five games so far, skated at right wing on the fourth line with left wing Adam Edstrom and center Sam Carrick. Rempe, who has played in two games, served as the stand-in for Alexis Lafreniere on the Artemi Panarin-Vincent Trocheck line. Lafreniere did not practice with the team because of an upper-body injury, according to the Rangers.

Carrick, the newcomer who replaced Barclay Goodrow as the fourth-line center, said regardless of whether it is the 6-9 Rempe or the 6-0 Brodzinski on his right, the mission and the mindset of the line doesn’t change.

“They're two different players,’’ Carrick said. “Remps, he's physical, he gets in there on the forecheck and creates turnovers and can punish the ‘D.’ And then, Brodzi, he can fly. He's got tons of skill. So, yeah, they're two different players. But I think at the same time, we still don't try to change too much, [regardless of] who is in there.’’

According to the analytics website Natural Stat Trick, the trio of Edstrom, Carrick and Brodzinski has played 23 minutes together and has more shot attempts (25) than its opponents (20). Shots on goal are even at 10-10. The threesome has an expected goals-for of 1.43, compared to an expected goals-against of 0.89.

Edstrom-Carrick-Rempe have played seven minutes, 37 seconds together. They have been outshot 3-1 and out-attempted 11-2, but have a slightly greater expected goals for (.26) than expected goals against (.23).

“We have four guys on this line that can push the pace every single night,’’ Brodzinski said. “And we're not a line that you can just throw any line out against and take advantage of. I think, pretty much every single night we've been dictating the pace, pressuring their fourth or third [line], whoever we get matched up again. I thought we've done a really good job so far.’’

Notes and quotes: Lafreniere skated on his own after practice with skills coach Christian Hmura… D Ryan Lindgren (upper body injury) continues to practice with the team, but Laviolette dodged the question of whether Lindgren could make his season debut Tuesday night. “Right now, he's still listed [on injured reserve]. He's progressing. It's great that he's out here practicing with us. It's been a few practices now, so it's nice that he's taking steps.’’ Lindgren partnered with rookie Victor Mancini at Monday's practice.

By Colin Stephenson

colin.stephenson@newsday.comColinSNewsday

Colin Stephenson covers the Rangers for Newsday. He has spent more than two decades covering the NHL and just about every sports team in the New York metropolitan area.