Rangers coach David Quinn is changing his lineup after just one game.
Tony DeAngelo will be scheduled for Saturday night’s rematch against the Islanders, Quinn said. The defender aggravated a penalty in the third period with an infraction of unsportsmanlike conduct for a minor double in Rangers’ 4-0 loss on Thursday to the Islanders at the Garden.
DeAngelo, who signed a two-year contract worth $ 9.6 million in October, did not skate with the main group in Friday practice and was relegated to training with the training team. The NHL’s fifth year, which burst last season with 53 points from 68 games, cannot be officially assigned to the taxi team without releasing exemptions.
“When we make changes, we can always come back,” said Quinn on Saturday. “If they don’t work, we can [go] for Plan B. ”
Quinn said last week that the Rangers talked to DeAngelo after the defender caused controversy by deleting his Twitter account and calling the social media platform a “disgrace” after President Trump was permanently banned from the site after the 6 riots. January at the United States Capitol.
Brendan Smith will replace DeAngelo in the lineup against the Islanders, and striker Phil Di Giuseppe will replace Kevin Rooney, Quinn said.