The Rangers’ 5-3 loss to the Blue Jackets on Thursday night in Columbus, Ohio barely meant much compared to their loss on the Blue Line.
After his first and only shift in the third period, Adam Fox went into the locker room and didn’t return after a hit by Columbus’ Vladislav Gavrikov sent the reigning defender, who won the Norris Trophy, clumsily into the boards.
Gerard Gallant said Fox had a “day to day” upper body injury after the win, but the head coach didn’t make it sound like it was serious.
“Obviously we’re concerned about the man,” Gallant said. “And if he doesn’t come back in the period, but in addition, you’re going to play. You’re going to play the game, you play hard, you compete hard. Nothing can change, you know?
“I’m sure it’s a minor injury. It’s not like he left with a serious injury, you know what I mean? Nothing changes, you play your game.”
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With an assist on Artemi Panarin’s goal in the first period, Fox extended his points streak to seven games and reached 40 assists, which ranks second in the NHL. When Fox went down, Braden Schneider recorded 4:58 with Ryan Lindgren, according to Natural Stat Trick.
Alexandar Georgiev conceded four goals from 18 shots in just his third start in the last eight games.
Forward Jonny Brodzinski and defender Zac Jones were recalled to the Rangers’ active roster. With Patrik Nemeth still out for personal reasons, Libor Hajek came in line up over Jones. In a subsequent move, the Rangers assigned Tim Gettinger, Nils Lundkvist, Lauri Pajuniemi and Tarmo Reunanen to the taxi crew.