The New York Rangers have had a victory that came with a cost—put their defenseman on injured reserve now. On Tuesday, the Rangers marked their 5-1 victory against the New York Islanders. This gave them a massive win for the day, but Adam Fox, who recently represented the USA in the 4 Nations, paid a tough price.

While the Rangers fight for a playoff spot this season, Fox is battling an upper-body injury he sustained in the last match. During the third period of the game, Fox fell short of a scrum and landed hard on his shoulder. He finally left the ice after setting a record of 48 points, including five goals he scored in his last 58 matches this NHL season!

However, his absence doesn’t prove to be an overall threat to the team. Rangers believe to have him back on the line for their stretch run ahead of the playoffs. Even Peter Baugh, the New York Hockey Writer for the Athlete, said, “He will be out for “a little bit,” I’m told.” And to his response, Pierre Lebrun, senior columnist for the same, posted on X saying, “Doesn’t look season-ending for Fox, he will be out a bit.”

Now that’s a relief! While Fox misses some time, he is expected to return as soon as he recovers before the season comes to an end. After all, losing Fox for the season would have been an immense blow. But the decision on whether Fox will require a medical procedure is still not determined, and this leaves everyone a bit uncertain about his return and recovery.

Though it’s easier to say the Rangers are okay with the absence of Fox, the team may find themselves in trouble at crucial points. Why do we say that? Well, there are other players who have joined the list of injured reserve, and it can prove to cost them a bit more than usual.

Rangers lose not just Adam Fox ahead of Playoffs

Rangers have their two defensemen out of the season this time. With Fox being one of them, K’Andre Miller also exited Tuesday’s game with a lower body injury. The woes continue for the Rangers. Although there’s no major update on Miller’s injury, the defenseman was out of the season after playing his final move with just over the last 13 minutes in the second period.

However, for substituting Fox, the Rangers have called on Matthew Roberston from the American Hockey League. Roberston is just positioned to debut in the NHL, and that too for an unfortunate circumstance—Fox’s injury. This loss of two veteran defensemen will affect the Rangers now that they also look ahead to making the playoffs this season.

It’s safer to say that the Rangers are lucky that Fox won’t be gone for long but it’s still a crucial matter as they are in a tight battle for a wildcard spot in the Eastern Conference Standings. And Fox is the only player for the Rangers who logs more time on ice than anybody. With an average timing of 24:14 per game, Fox had been the mainstay on the right side for the Rangers top defense pair. Hence, in between the quest to secure a place in the playoffs and Fox’s absence, will the Rangers be able to make it to the finals this season?