AV tweaks lines, hopes to spark Zibanejad

It was a move that Alain Vigneault called “subtle,” but one he hoped would pay big dividends.

The Rangers coach made a slight adjustment to his lines at Tuesday’s practice, flipping Rick Nash and J.T. Miller on the top two units just one day after the Blueshirts beat the Sabres, 3-2 in overtime, during the Winter Classic outdoors at Citi Field.

As it’s likely to be for Wednesday night’s Garden match against the Blackhawks, Vigneault moved Miller to the left wing with Mika Zibanejad and Mats Zuccarello, while Nash went to the right side of Michael Grabner and Kevin Hayes.

“Didn’t think that Mika’s line was generating a lot five-on-five,” Vigneault said. “I thought Nasher was working real hard, and he’s already played with Hayesy, and it’s been a good fit. Hayesy and Grabs right now are a real good fit. So it’s just a subtle little move there and hopefully it’ll get Mika going a little bit.

“Mika, we need him to play up to his qualities. He’s a good player and he needs to play well for us. I’m hoping by putting J.T. there, him and Zuccy, that will be a good line for us.”

Miller scored the overtime winner against the Sabres, and has embraced an increased role on this year’s squad. But despite being one of the team’s most engaged forwards every game, the 24-year-old still has had his ups and downs — and Vigneault knew it.

“I’m a little weary talking about J.T. Every time I say something nice about him, something else hap- pens,” Vigneault joked. “But J.T., he’s become an important part of our team. There’s areas that he needs to be better at, and those are easy to see. But he has the ability to make plays with the puck.”

As Chris Kreider recovers from the blood clot in his right arm, with no update on a timeline for his return, he chose to stay away from the team during all the festivities around the Winter Classic. Originally, Vigneault had said Kreider was planning to talk to the team before Monday’s game, but that plan changed.

“He felt he’d be a distraction, so he didn’t,” Vigneault said. “I said, ‘No, teammates would be happy to see you.’ But it is what it is.”

Rookie forward Vinni Lettieri is set to be a healthy scratch for the second straight game, but Vigneault said the plan is to bring Lettieri on the two-game trip to Arizona on Saturday and Vegas on Sunday. Lettieri scored a goal in his NHL debut Friday in Detroit.

“We’re going to keep him,” Vigneault said, “and then make those game-by-game decision.”