Quinn giving up on stacking line to improve depth

TAMPA, Fla. — David Quinn did not say as much, but the Rangers are abandoning their power-line experiment in which the coach shifted Kevin Hayes to right wing on the unit with center Mika Zibanejad and left wing Chris Kreider because such a move depletes the team’s depth and ability to match up against the opposition.

Quinn said he would “keep some of the reasons to myself ” for terminating the trial after getting mixed results in Saturday’s 5-4 shootout victory over the Panthers, but imagine the Blueshirts trying to keep up with Tampa Bay’s Steven Stamkos-Brayden Point onetwo punch down the middle under that configuration? Impossible.

It will be difficult enough under any circumstance, the Lightning coming into the match with six straight victories in which they have outscored their opponents by an aggregate 30-17 — not in- cluding an awarded shootout victory goal. First-overall in the NHL at 23-7-1, the Lightning have scored five goals or more in seven of their past 10 games while going 9-1.

“It’s going to be a challenge,” said Henrik Lundqvist, mastering the understatement as well as he has mastered his position. “Their forwards all shoot the puck and move the puck from side to side. You can’t be locked in on one or two guys.

“They’re probably the best team in the league. We’re going to have to play our best game to have a chance.”

➤ Vladislav Namestnikov, who played a powerful game against the Panthers, upon his return from a three-game, concussion-related absence, will make his second appearance here as a Ranger after coming to New York as part of the deadline exchange in which Ryan McDonagh and J.T. Miller went south in February.

“This will be a little easier,” said Namestnikov, who made his return on March 8, just 11 days after the trade. “That was a little difficult. I’m looking forward to this.”

Namestnikov scored the first shorthanded goal of his career on Saturday, using a nifty move to convert Kevin Hayes’ centering feed. He also drove hard to the net from the right side with seconds remaining in overtime to create a scoring chance for himself that came to naught once he used his left glove to punch the puck past Roberto Luongo with 8.7 seconds remaining.

“I thought maybe no one would see,” Namestnikov said with a sly grin.

➤ Mats Zuccarello, who has missed 12 of the past 14 games tending to a groin issue, was a full participant in Sunday’s practice but Quinn said he “would be stunned” if No. 36 suits up for this one.