New D-man hopes that trade is a fresh start

Rob O’Gara was ready to practice with his Providence Bruins teammates Tuesday before his coach told him he wasn’t allowed to skate.

Twenty-four hours later, he was on the ice with the Rangers and preparing for his first game back in the NHL.

“There were a thousand emotions going through me [Tuesday], but excited was the No. 1,” O’Gara said Wednesday after his first practice with the Blueshirts. “So much was happening [Tuesday], it’s hard to even recount it. I’m exhausted still.”

The 24-year-old defenseman, who was born in Massapequa and grew up in Nesconset, was traded, along with a 2018 third-round pick, to the Rangers in exchange for Nick Holden.

O’Gara played 11 games with the Bruins over the past two seasons since coming out of Yale. He was looking forward to a fresh start, and the chance for more playing time, with the Rangers. He will be in the lineup Thursday in Montreal, paired on the left side with John Gilmour.

“It’s no secret that there is [an opportunity] and that there’s time here to prove myself,” O’Gara said. “If I can step in and play my game, I think I can get comfortable playing some NHL games and I think it’ll help me a lot moving forward, hopefully solidifying myself in the organization. It’s a clean slate.”

Defenseman Marc Staal will return to the lineup against the Canadiens after missing eight games with a neck injury.

“I feel good, going to try to get the rust out early and get my legs under me as quick as I can,” said Staal, who was paired with Tony DeAngelo in practice.

Chris Kreider did not travel with the team to Montreal but has been medically cleared to play and could return to the lineup as soon as Friday. The winger hasn’t played since Dec. 27 after a blood clot was discovered in his right arm necessitating rib surgery.

Goalie Alexandar Georgiev will make his NHL debut against the Canadiens as the Rangers kicked off a backto-back. .... Vigneault said “it’s just a matter of days” before Ryan McDon

agh (upper body) could return to practice. ... Defenseman Ryan Sproul was sent back to AHL Hartford after playing four games with the Rangers.