Lemieux clocks in with gem vs. Leafs

TORONTO — This is what Brendan Lemieux, still not in optimum game shape after limited use by the Jets, has been building toward, a night like this in which he could go a career-high 15:29 and be a factor.

“It was a test,” the winger said following the Rangers’ 2-1 OT victory here over the Maple Leafs on Saturday. “I think I passed it.”

Lemieux, sent to New York from Winnipeg as part of the deal for Kevin Hayes, and the only roster player the Blueshirts acquired in trading Hayes, Mats Zuccarello and Adam McQuaid, had played 44 games for the Jets, but only 10 minutes or more in five.

“I knew going so long without playing that it would take time,” said Lemieux, who replaced the ailing Chris Kreider on the top line with Mika Zibanejad and Pavel Buchnevich. “It’s not a surprise. I’m not discouraged or disappointed. That’s just the way it is.”

Lemieux was engaged all night and helped create the pileup in front of Frederik Andersen’s net off which Buchnevich scored on a rebound. He played the net-front on the first-unit power play after having gotten a total of 10 seconds on the man-advantage unit over the previous five games.

Frederik Claesson and Connor Brickley were the healthy scratches, while Kreider (lower body) and Jesper Fast (upper body and likely done for the season) remained home tending to their ailments.

Quinn shuffled his line combinations. In addition to moving Lemieux into Kreider’s spot, Lias Andersson skated between Jimmy Vesey and Ryan Strome, while Brett Howden centered Boo Nieves and Brendan Smith.

The Blueshirts have scored two goals or fewer in 10 of their last 11 matches. They are in a pre-lottery sixth spot for the draft, seemingly destined to battle with Anaheim for five/six.