Adam Fox game-time decision for Rangers against Devils
UPDATE: Adam Fox took pregame warmups and is in the Rangers lineup against the Devils
Adam Fox may not be able to play for the New York Rangers when they host the New Jersey Devils on Monday night at Madison Square Garden. Coach Peter Laviolette said the star defenseman is a game-time decision because he is ill.
Fox didn’t participate in New York’s full-team morning skate at The Garden, though there is a chance he could play in the game. Fox missed 10 games earlier this season with a lower-body injury sustained in a November game against the Carolina Hurricanes.
The Rangers would be down two defensemen if Fox can’t play. Jacob Trouba is out up to three weeks with a lower-body injury, and missed his first game Saturday, when the Rangers shut out the St. Louis Blues 4-0.
Zac Jones replaced Trouba in the lineup and skated on the third pair with Erik Gustafsson. Braden Schneider moved up and paired with K’Andre Miller in Trouba’s absence.
Chad Ruhwedel would make Rangers debut if Adam Fox is out against Devils
If Fox is out, newcomer Chad Ruhwedel would make his Rangers debut. Ruhwedel was acquired from the Pittsburgh Penguins on Friday. The 33-year-old, who helped the Penguins win the Stanley Cup in 2017, is a solid stay-at-home defenseman, who has four points (one goal, three assists) in 47 games this season.
The Rangers could err on the side of caution with Fox since they have a heavy schedule this week and visit the Carolina Hurricanes on Tuesday. Carolina is two points back of New York for first place in the Metropolitan Division. The Rangers can add to their lead with a win against the Devils, who’ve lost four of their past five games and dealt their leading goal scorer, Tyler Toffoli, before the NHL trade deadline.
Fox is eighth among NHL defensemen with 51 points (10 goals, 41 assists) in 53 games this season. He averages 23:15 in ice time, tops on the Rangers.
Against the Blues, Fox had two assists. And he has 12 points (two goals, 10 assists) in his past 10 games.
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