Rangers' Chris Kreider (20) reacts after a loss to the Philadelphia Flyers in an NHL hockey game Thursday, April 22, 2021. Credit: AP/Elsa
The chase for the playoffs isn’t technically over for the Rangers, but clearly, with six points between them and the nearest playoff spot when the puck dropped for Thursday’s game against the Philadelphia Flyers at Madison Square Garden, the time had come to try something different.
And so, with big, physical defenseman and alternate captain Jacob Trouba unavailable for Thursday’s game, coach David Quinn inserted 20-year-old rookie Zac Jones to the lineup. Because, why not?