Madison Square Garden was buzzing with excitement as the Rangers paid tribute to their gold-medal-winning U.S. Olympians, J.T.
Miller and Vincent Trocheck, alongside coach Mike Sullivan and assistant coach David Quinn. But after the celebrations, it was time to get back to business.
Fresh off their Olympic triumph, Miller, Trocheck, and the coaching staff faced the challenge of shifting focus to a regular-season matchup against the Flyers. With the Flyers sitting at 25-21-11, they were ahead of the Rangers in the standings but still on the outside looking in for a playoff spot. For the Rangers, who were trailing with a 22-29-6 record, this wasn't exactly a game with playoff implications, but it was crucial for building momentum.
Miller emphasized the need to stay professional and committed. “We’d like to change the narrative around the last six weeks of this season,” he shared. The Rangers are looking to return to form as they welcome back key players.
Thursday night saw the return of vital players like goaltender Igor Shesterkin and defenseman Adam Fox, who had been sidelined since early January due to injuries. Forward Conor Sheary also made his comeback, adding depth to the lineup.
Despite their position at the bottom of the Eastern Conference and the ongoing roster changes, including the trades of Artemi Panarin and Carson Soucy, the Rangers aren't throwing in the towel. Coach Sullivan explained the decision to bring back Shesterkin and Fox: “They trained extremely hard to get back, and they're elite players. They make us a better team.”
Shesterkin's impressive pre-injury stats of 17-12-4 with a 2.45 goals-against average and a .913 save percentage, along with Fox's 28 points in 30 games, underscore their importance. Without them, the Rangers struggled, going 2-11. Their return is more than just a numbers game; it’s a morale booster for the entire squad.
Sullivan highlighted the dual focus for the remainder of the season: striving to win while evaluating younger talent like former first-round pick Brendan Brisson. “We’re going to try to compete and hold the group accountable, while also understanding what we have in our young players,” Sullivan said.
Experimentation is on the agenda, too. Against the Flyers, Sullivan paired defenseman Braden Schneider, a righty, on the left side with fellow right-hander Will Borgen, creating a dynamic defensive duo behind Fox and Vladislav Gavrikov.
While the return of Shesterkin and Fox might be too late to salvage the season, their presence undoubtedly makes the Rangers more competitive. As the team navigates the rest of the schedule, having these elite players back could inject some much-needed energy and optimism.