RALEIGH, N.C. — The meritocracy finally got to Brady Skjei.
The Rangers’ 25-year-old defenseman was a healthy scratch for the first time this season as his team took a 4-2 win over the Hurricanes on Thursday night.
Much like the rest of the team, Skjei has had ups and downs through the first portion of this season. But after a difficult individual performance in the 5-1 win over the Red Wings on Wednesday night at the Garden, coach David Quinn decided to sit him.
“I just think he needs to play better,” Quinn said.