Rookie could be jolt for O

FOLLOWING a Game 3 in which the Rangers struggled to generate scoring chances, will Alain Vigneault turn to rookie Pavel Buchnevich to spark the offense?

The 21-year-old rotated in on a line with Chris Kreider and Mika Zibanejad during Monday’s practice at the Garden and also took reps on the top power-play unit, an indication Buchnevich might play in his first playoff game tonight in Game 4 with the Rangers trailing Montreal, 2-1, in the first round.

Vigneault didn’t commit to any changes, saying he’s looking at all of his options.

“Some of our problems have come a lot under our puck management,” the coach said when asked about Buchnevich and the offense. “We need to do a better job here. We had a lot of unforced turnovers (Sunday) that we need to correct.”

Buchnevich rotated with Tanner Glass, who has been effective on a fourth line that Vigneault said after Sunday’s loss is the team’s best right now. While Kreider, Zibanejad and Buchnevich did seem to have good chemistry during training camp — seven months ago — they’ve played just 34 minutes together 5-on-5, according to datarink.com.

All of Vigneault’s lines were juggled Monday. Derek Stepan centered Rick Nash and Jimmy Vesey; Kevin Hayes was between Mats Zuccarello and J.T. Miller; and Michael Grabner was to the left of Oscar Lindberg and Jesper Fast.

NICK OF TIME

After being a healthy scratch for the first time all season on Sunday, Nick Holden was back on a pair with Marc Staal during Monday’s practice. Brady Skjei and Brendan Smith were reunited after playing well together over the first two games.

Kevin Klein was charged with four giveaways in Holden’s place in Game 3.

“I still do like his Vigneault said of Holden.

Both Holden and Klein have struggled. The Rangers also have Steven Kampfer and Adam Clendening at their disposal. game,”