Chris Kreider was designated as a healthy scratch ahead of the Rangers' game against the Devils on Monday afternoon at Prudential Center.
The decision to take over as the longest-tenured Ranger comes as the club falls to 4-12, sixth in the Metropolitan Division and 22nd in the NHL.
Kreider, who ranks eighth on the Rangers with 12 points, has scored just one point in his last nine games.
His only assist so far this season came on Dec. 6 against the Penguins.
Kreider last scored on the power play on Dec. 2 against the Devils.
Head coach Peter Laviolette initiated major lineup changes in response to the Rangers' poor performance.
After Capo Kakko flourished as a healthy scratch in St. Louis, Laviolette is now trying to send a message to Kreider and the rest of the team by sitting the veteran.
Kreider also missed three games in late November with back spasms, but symptoms surfaced shortly after president and general manager Chris Drury mentioned the 33-year-old winger as available in a league-wide trade memo. .
