Rangers Focus on Team Defense Amid Fox’s Injury
The Rangers are actively trying to bolster their team defense with All-Star defenseman Adam Fox sidelined due to an injury.
During their current four-game winning streak, the Blueshirts have allowed just eight points in regulation, though they did face overtime setbacks against the Avalanche and Golden Knights over the weekend.
Fox, who suffered an injury to his left arm in the last game—a 2-0-2 loss against the Lightning on November 29—has been placed on long-term injured reserve.
“I felt our guys performed admirably,” stated Rangers coach Mike Sullivan after Tuesday’s practice in Tarrytown. “We’re really competing hard. Replacing Fox isn’t straightforward. It’s tough.”
“The players stepping in have done quite well—focusing on their strengths without overextending themselves and sticking to solid defense. We plan to keep pushing forward,” he added.
Before going on IR, Fox was tied with Artemi Panarin for the team’s scoring lead, both players sitting at 26 points. He has resumed skating but is likely out for several weeks.
“First of all, he logs a lot of ice time for us,” Sullivan noted. “His skillset, especially in transitioning the puck and engaging in offense, is crucial. He’s very active from the offensive blue line, which also benefits our power play.”
Fox is recognized for his defensive strength, often competing fiercely in puck battles. Meanwhile, Braden Schneider has taken his place in the top defensive pairing alongside Vladislav Gavrikov. Sullivan has also opted for a five-forward setup on the first power play unit during Fox’s absence, with Panarin on the blue line and rookie Scott Morrow working the second unit.
“You simply can’t replace Fox; he’s one of a kind,” defensive player Matthew Robertson shared. “But it’s on all of us to step up, bolster our defense, and contribute more offensively. That’s our collective responsibility as a defensive unit.”
“Defense isn’t solely our job; it involves the entire team. We’re aiming to foster a unified effort and generate offense from our defensive plays. Although we’ve faced tough opponents, our performance has improved, so I sense we’re heading in the right direction,” Robertson elaborated.
Sullivan feels the team is finally beginning to find its identity, even after the recent overtime defeat. “I believe so. We’re really assessing what kind of team we wish to become. One of our initial discussions revolved around our identity,” he remarked. “We want to be a tough team to play against because without that toughness, it’s challenging to secure wins. A key part of this involves managing the puck, forcing mental strains on the opposition, and minimizing easy scoring chances. That starts with our defensive focus.”
“The players seem to really embrace this concept,” he added.
Sam Carrick, who recently had a scuffle with Vegas’ Keegan Kolesar in the first period on Sunday, agreed that the defensive unity must also extend to forwards. “In these tight, low-scoring games, we’re shaping an identity focused on being a tough team to handle. Even if we concede some offense, our elite goaltenders make it hard to score,” Carrick commented about Igor Shesterkin and Jonathan Quick. “That’s really our focus right now.”
“It would have been ideal to have them on the ice, but there’s a strong sense in the locker room that we can build something very special together,” Carrick concluded.
