The New York Rangers are facing the possibility of being without defenseman Erik Gustafsson, who exited their game against the Panthers with an upper-body injury. Head coach Peter Laviolette has revealed that Gustafsson is considered day-to-day, but his absence from practice does not bode well for his availability for the upcoming game against the Flyers. If Gustafsson is unable to play, Brandon Scanlin, who was recalled from AHL Hartford, is expected to make his NHL debut in his place. Scanlin has had a successful season in the AHL, with 16 points in 57 games.
Another defenseman, Ryan Lindgren, who has been out with a lower-body injury, took a step forward in his recovery by participating in practice while wearing a non-contact jersey. Despite the injury only occurring a week ago, Lindgren’s progress is promising, and Laviolette praised his performance during practice. The injuries to the Rangers’ blue line have allowed Zac Jones to step up, and he has made an impact in the last nine games he has played in. Jones has recorded a plus-3 and three assists during that time and has been paired with Chad Ruhwedel.
When the Rangers acquired Alex Wennberg ahead of the trade deadline, Laviolette had mentioned that he envisioned Wennberg taking some defensive-zone faceoffs away from Mika Zibanejad. Wennberg has lived up to expectations, winning 49.4% of faceoffs since joining the Rangers. Laviolette praised Wennberg’s contributions to the team and highlighted his responsible and skilled play. Wennberg’s presence has provided a good balance to the Rangers’ lineup, giving them more options for both faceoffs and playing style.
The elbow to the head that Gustafsson received from Sam Reinhart during the game against the Panthers was deemed inadvertent, as Gustafsson was in a low position while falling. Gustafsson’s absence will be a blow to the Rangers, who have recently paired him with Adam Fox. Lindgren’s return to practice is a positive sign for the team, as his strong presence on the ice was noted by Laviolette. Jones expressed his satisfaction with his current performance on the team, stating that it is the best stretch of games he has had in his professional career.
The injuries to key defensemen on the Rangers have provided opportunities for younger players like Jones to showcase their abilities. Jones has taken full advantage of the chance and has been contributing positively to the team’s performances. Wennberg’s addition to the team has provided more flexibility and depth to the Rangers’ lineup, with Laviolette expressing his satisfaction with Wennberg’s responsible and skilled play. Despite the setbacks due to injuries, the Rangers are making the most of the situation by allowing younger players to gain valuable experience and by leveraging the strengths of their new acquisitions.
