Rangers Struggle Without Adam Fox in 3-2 Loss to Maple Leafs
The Rangers' revamped power play falters as the team adjusts to the absence of their star defenseman, who is sidelined with a shoulder injury.
- Adam Fox, the Rangers' top defenseman and key power-play contributor, is on injured reserve with a shoulder injury sustained earlier this week against the Islanders.
- Head coach Peter Laviolette experimented with a five-forward power-play unit to compensate for Fox's absence, but the unit went 0-for-3 in Friday's game.
- The Rangers tied the game in the third period with a shorthanded goal by Will Cuylle but quickly surrendered the lead due to a defensive lapse, leading to a 3-2 loss to the Maple Leafs.
- Urho Vaakanainen, acquired earlier this season, has been elevated to a top-four defensive role alongside Ryan Lindgren as part of efforts to replace Fox's contributions.
- With 23 games left in the regular season, the Rangers remain four points out of an Eastern Conference wild card spot, intensifying their playoff push.