LAS VEGAS — When the Rangers’ protection took a pair hits after the vacation recess, Zac Jones was recalled from the taxi squad and all of a sudden, there was some lineup competitors.
The Rangers haven’t had many gamers battle it out for spots because the begin of the season, contemplating a majority of the lineup modifications have been made based mostly on who is obtainable game-to-game. Jones could have made his season debut Sunday in opposition to the Lightning due to personnel hurdles, with Ryan Lindgren in COVID-19 protocol and Patrik Nemeth sidelined resulting from private causes, however the 21-year-old blueliner has remained within the lineup regardless of Lindgren’s return.
Jones, who skated in his third straight recreation Thursday night time in opposition to the Golden Knights, stated that he’s tried to not view his present scenario as the large alternative that it's.
“I’m probably not apprehensive about it,” Jones stated after Wednesday’s observe. “I imply, clearly, guys are getting wholesome, so I do know that it’s a battle for these six spots each night time. I’m simply attempting to exit and play my recreation, and regardless of the teaching workers and administration determine to do, they determine to do.”
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Head coach Gerard Gallant stated Jones has earned his taking part in time, and it’s not nearly getting a take a look at the UMass product.
Edging out rookie Nils Lundkvist prior to now two video games coming into Thursday, Jones has been partnered with Libor Hajek on the Rangers’ third pairing. Hajek is within the midst of his most prolonged look of the season, having competed prior to now 9 video games coming into Thursday.
Lundkvist has fluctuated out and in of the lineup since he was sidelined for 4 video games with a non-COVID sickness earlier than the vacation break, however the Swede had performed 24 video games this season coming into Thursday — essentially the most out of the three younger defensemen.
“It’s at all times a pleasant competitors with all people, and everyone knows that,” Jones added. “There’s a pair spots that we’re all combating for, so it’s wholesome competitors we now have right here.”
Jones stated the ten video games he performed with the Rangers final season made his first NHL contest this yr that a lot simpler. Regardless that his legs have been slightly heavy after the primary interval of his season debut on Sunday, Jones famous that his elevated confidence helped tremendously.
His confidence stage is one thing that Jones stated he labored on whereas in AHL Hartford, along with rounding out his defensive recreation. Offense has at all times come naturally to Jones, who quarterbacked the highest power-play unit at UMass, so he wasn’t apprehensive when he had simply 4 assists by means of the primary 10 video games of the AHL season.
Jones has 4 targets and 13 assists for 17 factors in 21 video games with the Wolf Pack this season.
“I like the way in which he skates and his head is up there,” Gallant stated. “He strikes the puck actual effectively. His first shift the opposite night time he obtained toasted by Brayden Level, however who doesn’t get toasted by Brayden Level? , he rebounded from it. That’s good.”
That play with Level was his welcome-back-to-the-NHL second, Jones stated. However, as Gallant identified, Jones didn’t let it influence the remainder of his night time.
“That’s one thing that I’ve tried to work on in Hartford, is attempting to not be too exhausting on myself after a mistake,” Jones stated. “I believe that’s part of my recreation that’s improved tremendously.”
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