Upper-body injury forces Vincent Trocheck from Rangers game against Sabres
Vincent Trocheck was knocked out of the New York Rangers’ 4-0 win against the Buffalo Sabres on Thursday at Key Bank Center due to an upper-body injury.
The Rangers announced at the start of the third period that the 32-year-old center wouldn’t return. His final shift of the game ended at 6:50 of the second period, though it wasn’t apparent when he was hurt or what the exact nature of the injury is. He left the bench and didn’t play again.
“He’s being evaluated for an upper-body injury right now. I don’t have anything else for you,” coach Mike Sullivan said postgame.
The Rangers don’t practice Friday, so an update on Trocheck likely won’t come until Saturday morning, prior to their game in Pittsburgh against the Penguins.
Before his injury Thursday, Trocheck picked up an assist on Alexis Lafreniere’s goal at 11:43 of the first period, New York’s first score of the season, after they were shut out 3-0 by the Penguins on opening night.
“It’s tough, really tough. He’s one of our best players, obviously,” Lafreniere said about his linemate.
Trocheck played 12 shifts totaling 7:48 TOI against the Sabres. He won 7 of 11 face-offs (64 percent), blocked two shots, and registered one shot on goal before departing the game.
Mika Zibanejad took Trocheck’s place at center, on a line with Artemi Panarin and Lafreniere, after the injury. Conor Sheary moved up from the third line to replace Zibanejad on a line with J.T. Miller and Will Cuylle.
Lafreniere bumped up to the top power-play unit in Trocheck’s absence.
