NY Rangers practice observations: Kris Knoblauch settles in for the weekend

After a Wednesday that Kris Knoblauch said he'll never forget, Thursday felt more like "a regular coaching day."

Of course, he was in Tarrytown, New York coaching the Rangers, rather than Hartford, Connecticut with the Wolf Pack. But at least he woke up knowing what the plan was.

"It was mostly just preparing for what kind of practice this should be," he said. "Looking at schedule, who we're playing, what do we want to do, and then we'll move forward getting prepared play Washington."

TAKEAWAYS: Mika Zibanejad's hat trick leads to lopsided win

DAVID QUINN: Rangers coach and staff enter COVID-19 protocol

The AHL Hartford coach ran his first NHL practice at the MSG Training Center without having to work his new players too hard.

The Rangers are coming off their most lopsided win of the season, a 9-0 shellacking of the Philadelphia Flyers on Wednesday, which made for a light mood the following day.

"The guys had fun today at practice, there's no doubt about that," Knoblauch said. "But it had nothing to do with the coaching staff or any drills or any messages that we talked about. They're having fun because they just enjoyed a hockey game where it's probably been a long time since they experienced something like that."

Following practice, the team announced that head coach David Quinn and three members of his staff — Jacques Martin, David Oliver and Greg Brown — would remain in COVID-19 protocol for the weekend.

That means that Knoblauch, along with Hartford assistant coach Gord Murphy and Rangers associate general manager Chris Drury, will coach back-to-back games in Washington against Capitals on Friday and Saturday.

"They’re awesome," defenseman Ryan Lindgren said of Knoblauch and Murphy. "I played for them a little bit in Hartford last year and I really enjoyed them. They’re two just outstanding people and great coaches. Very easy to talk. So smart with the game, too. They did a great job last night and we're excited to have them."

Knoblauch not looking to 'turn things upside down'

The 42-year-old coach didn't have much time to organize his belongings before racing to New York on Wednesday. He ran a practice for the Wolf Pack in the morning and didn't get confirmation that the Rangers would need him until around 1 p.m.

"I did pack a bag," Knoblauch quipped. "But after our game last night, looking at how much I packed, it wasn’t enough."

He credited Quinn for leaving a thorough game plan and scouting video behind for he and Murphy to review upon their arrival, as well as the players for walking them through the "ebbs and flows of the pregame rituals."

"It was a little shocking," forward Brett Howden said. "All of us walking in and not really expecting that, but I thought everybody handled it really well. Our leadership group really stepped up, and I think that was a big thing for us. ... I think it's good for all of us to count on each other and hold each other accountable."

Knoblauch will remain in constant communication with Quinn — "We'll contact again probably before we get on the flight to Washington," he said — and will collaborate with him on lineup decisions and game plans.

"As a new coaching staff, we don't want to disrupt what they're doing," he added. "We want it to go as smoothly as possible and share the message that coaching staff wants to share – not turn things upside down."

Lindgren noted that the playing style they use with the Wolf Pack mirror's what Quinn does with the NHL squad, which adds a level of comfort for everyone involved.

"It helps a ton," he said. "They do they all the same systems as the Rangers, so for us players when you get called up, now you can just jump right in and feel more familiar with the system," Lindgren said. "I think that helps with the coaching, as well."

Igor Shesterkin 'a possibility' for Saturday

Knoblauch stuck with Quinn's latest lineup combinations against the Flyers and intends to do the same thing Friday.

Alexandar Georgiev will get his second consecutive start after a 26-save shutout, but Knoblauch added that No. 1 goalie Igor Shesterkin is "a possibility" for Saturday.

Friday will mark Shesterkin's eighth game out since suffering a groin strain on March 4, but he was a limited participant in Thursday's practice and is inching closer to a return.

Veteran forward Chris Kreider did not practice for what the team called "a maintenance day," but is expected to play against the Capitals.

Vincent Z. Mercogliano is the New York Rangers beat reporter for the USA TODAY Network. Read more of his work at lohud.com/sports/rangers/ and follow him on Twitter @vzmercogliano.