Puempel will be in the lineup for the first time since Feb. 5. He'll replace Buchnevich, who has one assist in his past 10 games. "[Buchnevich] had a so-so game last game," coach Alain Vigneault told the Rangers website Wednesday. "Part of the growing process of a young player. [Puempel] is a young player, and I just feel it's time to get him in a game." Skjei is expected to be on the second power-play unit with Zibanejad, Hayes, Miller and Kreider. … Clutterbuck and Hamonic skated Thursday morning but neither is ready to return. It was Hamonic's first time skating since he was injured Jan. 7. "It's great," coach Doug Weight said. "I think a lot of the pain has gone out of him. I've been on that road, those knee injuries, and once you can get your mind free of that pain you can really start pushing it. We'll see how he is through Saturday, and as long as nothing comes I told him he's not going to like this very much, but we're going to get aggressive. We've got to get his lungs in shape and strength in those legs. We'll work at him hard. We need him back."