David Quinn hints at when Tony DeAngelo might return to lineup

Tony DeAngelo’s sentence for his behavioral misconduct during Tuesday’s match against the Flyers extended to a second game as the Rangers defenseman remained in street clothes for Saturday night’s 3-2 defeat to the Lightning at the Garden.

But David Quinn, who had told The Post that No. 77 had been scratched for Thursday’s game at the Devils because of “a maturity issue,” said he anticipated DeAngelo would return to the lineup “very, very shortly,” which likely means Monday against the Kings.

“It’s kind of a combination of the six [defensemen] playing well enough [against the Devils] and continuing the work with Tony,” the coach said. “I will say that after the conversations over the last 48 hours and some of the things that have happened, Tony is in the best place he’s been mentally. I’m hoping that’s the case; I get that feeling.

“If we can get Tony DeAngelo to play to his ability, sooner or later, and be the player he can be, we’ll be a much better hockey team the last 30 games.”

Quinn acknowledged decisions such as scratching DeAngelo for the past two games after sitting out Pavel Buchnevich on Tuesday might result in dressing an inferior group. Dressing seven defensemen and 11 forwards against the Flyers did not represent the optimum lineup in what became a 1-0 defeat.

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“It’s a balancing act for sure,” Quinn said. “What I will say to that is, you’ve got to think everything big picture. Do I want to lose tonight? No I don’t, but I think big picture, if we’re going to have the type of success I think we’re capable of having during the season, you may lose a game because of [this kind of decision], but over the course of 82 games, you’re going to have a much better hockey team. “That’s something as a coach you certainly have to be aware of when you’re making these decisions. You don’t want to let the season get away from you but you also can’t make a decision based on one game, is I guess what I’m saying.”

Henrik Lundqvist was in nets for his 37th start of the season. The defeat ended a stretch in which the goaltender had won four straight starts (2.50, .912). Lundqvist has compiled 12 streaks throughout his career in which he has won at least five consecutive starts, taking seven straight in 2013-14 and 2011-12.

The Lightning (39-11-2) entered the match leading their division by 15 points, the conference by 14 points and the NHL by seven. They are 4-3 in their past seven after going 18-1-1 the previous 20 matches.

Saturday’s game marked the first of a five-game homestand for the Blueshirts, who host the Kings on Monday, the Bruins on Wednesday (at 8 p.m.), the Hurricanes on Friday (at 8 p.m. following the 25th Anniversary reunion celebration of the 1994 Stanley Cup championship) and the Maple Leafs on Feb. 10.