Ryan Lindgren out vs Blue Jackets, Zac Jones and Jimmy Vesey in
The New York Rangers announced that defenseman Ryan Lindgren is out for Saturday night’s tilt against the Columbus Blue Jackets. There’s not much news as to why or how long, but the team posted that it’s due to an upper-body injury.
In the Rangers win over the Buffalo Sabres on Thursday, Lindgren did block a heavy shot off his hand that had him visibly shaken on the bench. Medical trainers worked with him as he flexed his hand, allowing him to complete the game.
Lindgren, 25, played 19:50 in that contest, finishing with 2 blocked shots, 1 shot on goal, and an even rating.
Update: Per coach Peter Laviolette, Lindgren is day-to-day and will be reevaluated when the team returns home on Sunday.
Ryan Lindgren out, Zac Jones makes season debut
The next man up is Zac Jones, who will likely partner with Braden Schneider on the third pair. Erik Gustafsson should slot on the left alongside Adam Fox. They both played together in the preseason, so there should be some familiarity.
Jones, 22, registered 1 goal and 1 assist for two points in 16 games with the Rangers last season before being sent down to the Hartford Wolf Pack. In the AHL, he was a force offensively picking up 8 goals and 23 assists for 31 points in 54 matches.
New York extended him over the summer with a two-year deal ($812,500 AAV) and he will be an RFA (no arbitration rights) when it expires in 2025.
Jimmy Vesey replaces Tyler Pitlick
Also, Jimmy Vesey will replace winger Tyler Pitlick on the fourth-line for tonight’s game.
Vesey, 30, notched 11 goals and 25 points in 81 matches for the Blueshirts in 2022-23. He added an assist in the team’s 7-game first round exit to the New Jersey Devils.
While the Rangers may be a little less physical without Pitlick in the lineup, Vesey is a faster player that has a proven track record for scoring over his career.
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