Nieves has been a healthy scratch the last two games but is the only healthy spare forward on the roster. With just one game remaining before the three-day holiday break, Vigneault ruled out a recall for Saturday's match with Toronto, but was still unsure exactly what his lines would be.
Vigneault did confirm J.T. Miller would move to the wing.
While the Mika Zibanejad trio stayed intact, the bottom three lines were shuffled with David Desharnais moving between Rick Nash and Mats Zuccarello. Jimmy Vesey slid up to the right side of Kevin Hayes and Michael Grabner, while Nieves center Miller on the right and Paul Carey on the left.
Nieves said he was approaching this as a chance to make the most of the opportunity at hand and to reestablish himself a regular in the Rangers' lineup.
"A guy goes down or something happens, the next guy has to be ready to step in their place," Nieves said. "I think all season long that the next guy who steps up has done a really good job and I just want to keep that trending upward."
Nieves and Carey have played together often when both have been in the lineup. Nieves, though, said he's also looking forward to playing with a player like Miller who brings a lot of different attributes to a line that is asked to contribute offensively while also focusing on defense.
"I think it'll be a really good combination," Nieves said of Miller. "I think J.T. is a very versatile player. I think he can play center, he can play wing, he can forecheck, he can score and has skill. Honestly, I think he's got it all. I think he's going to be a really good addition to play with me and Paul."
