McIlrath getting his chance

Dan Boyle’s struggles have opened up a spot for impressive young defenseman Dylan McIlrath — for one game at least.

The big blueliner, the Rangers’ firstround pick in the 2010 draft, will get his first start of the year Tuesday night at the Garden against the Jets, Rangers coach Alain Vigneault said after practice Monday at the MSG Training Center.

“We’re going into game four and I want to get a look at Dylan,” Vigneault said. “He had a real good camp, as everybody knows, and playing against a team that is a little bigger. I would say that — and I think ‘Boyler’ can play a little bit better than he’s played — but at the end of the day it probably had a little bit more to do with, I wanted to see Dylan, so I decided to make that change.”

McIlrath, 23, will team with veteran Keith Yandle, giving the Rangers a physical presence in McIlrath with a puckmoving offensiveminded player on their third defensive pairing.

“Usually, that’s what you’re looking for,” Vigneault said. “I’m anxious to see how they’re going to play together. It’s going to be Dylan’s first game. I’m hoping we’re going to see the Dylan we saw in training camp. He was a real effective player for us.”

It may not last more than one game, Vigneault cautioned, but McIlrath is ready for the chance he is being given.

“Very excited,” McIlrath said. “I’m looking to make the most out of a good opportunity.”

Vigneault said Henrik Lundqvist will be back in net on Tuesday, and declined to give a timetable on when he plans to get new backup Antti Raanta a start. Lundqvist has played very well, allowing six goals in three games, while making 100 saves.

“Our goaltender is where we want him to be, there’s no doubt there,” the coach said. “He’s played extremely well.”

Defenseman Kevin Klein, who got a look on the power play during training camp, was working on the manadvantage unit Monday. Vigneault still is trying to figure out the best personnel to use with the Rangers up a man. He hasn’t ruled out using four forwards on both units.

“He’s got a good shot, there’s no doubt there, and that’s a weapon,” Vigneault said of Klein.

Tanner Glass will remain in the lineup on the fourth line, Vigneault said, with fellow forwards Jesper Fast and Emerson Etem remaining healthy scratches. ... Rookie Oscar Lindberg, the Rangers’ thirdline center, was named the NHL’s Second Star of the week after he scored four goals in the team’s first three games.