Derek Stepan's growth figures to have a major affect on the Rangers' success this season. Stepan is the team's number two center. Even though he has three assists on the year, he knows he's going to have to become a major factor for a team that's started out 1-3. "I'm blessed with an opportunity to play, and the biggest thing is now that I'm getting these minutes is that I score a goal," said Stepan, who averaging 19:43 of ice time a night, the fourth-highest among Rangers' forwards. "I want to try to help out in a positive way rather than just play the big minutes."

Derek Stepan played a strong game in KaiPa's 5-2 loss to the Pelicans in SM-liiga play Saturday. The Ranger pivot registered an assist in the loss. Stepan has struggled in Finland for the most part with only four points in 11 games.

Derek Stepan opened the scoring in KalPa's 4-2 victory versus HPK. He has notched two goals and one assist in seven SM-liiga contests. Stepan reached the 50-point mark in his sophomore season with the New York Rangers in 2011-12 and he appears to be gaining some confidence in Finland after getting off to a slow start.

Derek Stepan scored a goal in KalPa's 2-1 win over IFK Helsinki. It was Stepan's first goal in six SM-liiga games. He would be well into his third season with the New York Rangers by now if it wasn't for the lockout.

New York Rangers center Derek Stepan has agreed to play for KalPa Kuopio of the SM-liiga. No word as to when Stepan will make his debut in the Finnish Elite League but the KalPa squad is playing on Tuesday. He had 17 goals and 51 points last season so look for a bit of improvement this season, when the NHL season eventually starts.

Derek Stepan didn't skate on Tuesday, after blocking a shot with his foot in the Eastern Conference final opener, but he is expected to play in Game 2 on Wednesday night. His big toe was bandaged after it was struck by a shot from New Jersey's Ilya Kovalchuk at 12:29 of the first period. Stepan was able to stay in the game and finish with 17:33 of total ice time. He has recorded one goal and seven helpers in 15 playoff contests.

Derek Stepan had a hand all the New York Rangers' goals in their 3-2 victory over the Ottawa Senators in Game 6 on Monday night. Stepan had been held off the scoresheet in his first 10 career playoff games, but broke out in a big way in this one, scoring a goal to tie the game at one in the second period and assisting on the next two. Brad Richards also had a big game, scoring and adding a helper. The ultimate game-winner went to Chris Kreider, who netted his first career NHL goal at 19:19 of the second period. Michael Del Zotto, Marc Staal and Anton Stralman had the other assists.

Derek Stepan was demoted to the fourth line at practice on Sunday. Brandon Dubinsky took his spot on a line with Ryan Callahan and Artem Anisimov during the session. Stepan has five shots and no points in two games during the Rangers' first-round series against Ottawa. There's still a chance that he could move up and play on the top line, with Brad Richards and Marian Gaborik, due to Carl Hagelin's suspension, but that honor could go to recently signed top prospect Chris Kreider should the team decide to give him his first crack at the NHL level in Game 3.

Derek Stepan returned to action on Saturday April 7.

Derek Stepan didn't participate in Friday's practice after absorbing a knee-on-knee hit on Thursday. Rangers coach John Tortorella was furious at Pittsburgh's Brooks Orpik for what he argued was a cheap and dirty hit. So far there's no timetable for Stepan's return and we haven't even gotten confirmation that he's dealing with a knee injury. The playoffs will start next week, so the Rangers might be reluctant to share anymore injury information than they need to.