Rangers defender Jacob Trouba did not return on Tuesday night for the third period of the 5-2 loss to the Devils, after suffering an upper body injury earlier in the game.
If the 26-year-old has to miss some time, the Rangers defense would again be with three skaters, Jack Johnson (groin) being still day and K’Andre Miller recently joins him with an upper body injury. Brendan Smith skated in his first game on Tuesday since suffering an upper body injury earlier this month.
“It simply came to our notice then [Wednesday]Coach David Quinn said of the Trouba after the loss.
The Blueshirts are also without their top scorer Artemi Panarin, who missed the second game in a row since suffering a lower body injury in the 3-2 loss to the Bruins on February 10.
Trouba, in his second season with the Rangers, recorded two assists in 13 games this season. He skated primarily with Miller, but was paired with Smith on Tuesday night in the absence of the rookie.
The Rangers won 36 defeats in a single match of the season, following the loss, taking 36 of 73 points (49.3 percent).