Rangers Adjust to Life Without Adam Fox as They Prepare for a Tough Test Against the Maple Leafs

The New York Rangers are riding the momentum of back-to-back victories, but their biggest challenge yet comes Friday night when they host the high-powered Toronto Maple Leafs. Adding to the pressure, they’ll have to face Toronto without one of their best players—Adam Fox.

Fox, one of the NHL’s most elite defensemen, was placed on injured reserve following a hard fall against the New York Islanders on Tuesday. He appeared to injure his left shoulder after a collision with Kyle MacLean in the third period of the Rangers’ dominant 5-1 win. While the exact timeline for his return remains uncertain, he will miss at least a week and potentially longer, meaning New York will need to find answers on the blue line as they continue their push toward the playoffs.

The Rangers’ Defensive Struggles Continue

Losing Fox is a major setback for a Rangers defense that has already dealt with multiple injuries this season. The 25-year-old blueliner has been a major force on both ends of the ice, tallying five goals and 48 points, ranking him among the top four highest-scoring defensemen in the league.

His injury marks the third time this season that a top-six Rangers defenseman has been sidelined. His usual partner, Ryan Lindgren, missed the first five games of the year due to a facial injury suffered in the preseason. K’Andre Miller, another key piece of the defense, landed on injured reserve in December with an upper-body injury. He then sustained a lower-body injury in Tuesday’s win and was limited to non-contact drills in Thursday’s practice, raising concerns about his availability for the game against Toronto.

With a battered defense, head coach Peter Laviolette will need to get creative with his defensive pairings. Veteran Jacob Trouba and up-and-coming Braden Schneider will likely take on even larger roles, while Erik Gustafsson may be leaned on for additional minutes in Fox’s absence.

Offensive Depth Stepping Up for New York

Despite their defensive struggles, the Rangers have found ways to win games. They have rattled off two straight victories since returning from the 4 Nations Face-Off break, even though they were heavily outshot—77-34 combined—against the Islanders and Pittsburgh Penguins. However, their offense came through in those games, scoring 10 goals, thanks in large part to contributions from their depth players.

Fourth-liner Jonny Brodzinski had a breakout game against the Islanders, scoring twice and assisting on a goal by rookie Matt Rempe. This unexpected offensive surge helped offset the absence of Chris Kreider, who has missed the last two games with an upper-body injury. Kreider practiced on Thursday, suggesting he may return against Toronto, which would be a massive boost to the lineup.

J.T. Miller, who has five goals since being acquired from the Vancouver Canucks, missed Thursday’s practice due to illness, but he is expected to be ready for Friday’s game.

“Everything’s about just winning games right now,” Laviolette said. “Points are everything, especially against teams near us in the standings.”

Maple Leafs Rolling Behind Explosive Offense

While the Rangers are dealing with injuries, the Maple Leafs are surging offensively. Since returning from the break, Toronto has been on a scoring tear, netting 16 goals in victories over the Carolina Hurricanes, Chicago Blackhawks, and Boston Bruins.

They’ve won six of their last seven games and have bounced back in a big way after a rough stretch in late January when they managed just three goals in a three-game losing streak.

Toronto’s latest win was a thrilling 5-4 overtime victory against Boston, where they rallied from a 3-0 deficit. Mitch Marner played hero, scoring twice, including the game-winner with just 52 seconds left in overtime.

“We didn’t quit, and that’s something you like to see out of our team,” Marner said after the comeback win.

Injury Concerns for Toronto

Like the Rangers, the Maple Leafs are also dealing with injury concerns. Defenseman Chris Tanev exited Tuesday’s game in the first period after taking a big hit and is considered day-to-day with a shoulder injury. His absence could be a problem for Toronto, as he is one of the league leaders in blocked shots (151) and boasts a strong plus-26 rating.

Star forward William Nylander also appeared to injure his arm in the Boston game and was absent during overtime. His status for Friday remains uncertain, but he could suit up.

With Tanev sidelined, Toronto will likely rely more on veteran defensemen Morgan Rielly and Oliver Ekman-Larsson while inserting Philippe Myers into the lineup.

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What’s at Stake?

This game carries significant playoff implications for both teams. The Rangers are trying to maintain their position near the top of the Eastern Conference standings, while the Maple Leafs are surging at the right time and looking to solidify their spot in the postseason race.

For New York, this will be a test of resilience. Missing Fox will force other players to step up, both defensively and offensively. If Kreider returns and the Rangers can generate scoring from all four lines, they will have a chance to slow down Toronto’s red-hot offense.

Skate to Victory

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On the other side, the Maple Leafs are looking to keep their momentum rolling despite potential absences of key players. If Marner and Nylander continue to produce at an elite level, Toronto will be tough to contain.

With two playoff-caliber teams battling it out under the bright lights of Madison Square Garden, this matchup has all the makings of a must-watch showdown.