With the Rangers no longer able to claim first place, Gerard Gallant says that the plan for the remaining two games, will be to rotate some of the regulars out for some rest. Both Artemi Panarin and Andrew Copp will top that list, with both players having left the bench midway through the second period last night in the 4-3 loss to Carolina.
Gallant said neither player suffered a serious injury, but that they were both held out of the line-up for precautionary reasons. Copp had just returned from a one-game absence, after being able to complete the game against the Islanders last Thursday, while Panarin was reportedly seen on the bench with a heating pad on his back to start the second last night.
The Rangers also called up Zac Jones from the AHL this morning, using the first of their four allowable call-ups for the remainder of the regular season. With Jones up, and Hajek also with the team, the Rangers could well have up to seven changes in the line-up – as well as Alexandar Georgiev in net.
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