Times a-changin’ for Ranger Dylan

DYLAN McIlrath was just glad to be an NHL player last season, he says, though he admitted there was some frustration from a competitive standpoint regarding his inconsistent playing time.

The 2010 first-round pick played in 34 regular-season games and one playoff contest last year, not cracking Alain Vigneault’s lineup more often despite bringing an imposing physical presence to the game as well as quality defensive play, which he displayed no better than in an 11-game stretch last December while Kevin Klein was injured. He’s sought to stand up for his teammates, as he did on Valentine’s Day by challenging Wayne Simmonds after Simmonds concussed captain Ryan McDonagh with a sucker-punch eight days prior.

Just being in the league is no longer enough for the 24-yearold defenseman.

“I think about (my situation) because I definitely want to be in the top six this year,” McIlrath said Tuesday after scoring a goal in the Rangers’ 5-2 victory over the Islanders in their preseason opener.

“It was on my mind when I was in the gym; that’s all I was thinking about was getting better and definitely earning AV’s trust and being in that top-six role. I’m not trying to put too much pressure on myself because mistakes will happen, but that being said I definitely have to show them that I’m reliable and that I can play every night.”

McIlrath, paired with Mat Bodie Tuesday, was on the ice for the Islanders’ goal in the first and took a tripping penalty. He rifled home a point shot in the third directly off a faceoff win by new Ranger Mika Zibanejad, who scored a powerplay goal and had two assists. Zibanejad excelled on even strength and the power-play with Chris Kreider (goal, assist) and rookie Pavel Buchnevich (plus-2, three shots).

Forward Brandon Pirri, another new face vying for a job, scored a power-play goal.