The Rangers’ injury problems were much worse.
Jacob Trouba left Tuesday’s 5-2 loss to Devils with an upper body injury and on Wednesday Rangers announced that the defender would be out of action for four to six weeks.
It is just the latest blow from Rangers, who played Tuesday’s game without winger Artemi Panarin (lower body) and promising new defender K’Andre Miller (upper body), both classified as everyday. Rangers also lack Filip Chytil, who is recovering from four to six weeks after an upper body injury.
Trouba, whose regular partner was Miller, had an average 21:40 time on ice in 14 games, the second largest clip of all skaters, behind blue linemate Adam Fox.
Veteran defender Jack Johnson is out with a groin injury, but coach David Quinn said on Monday that he hopes that Johnson can start practicing again this week.