Carson Soucy is back in the New York Rangers lineup after four weeks on injured reserve, but coach Mike Sullivan kept his defensive partnership in the same spot he’d used in the first part of the season.
Soucy, who hurt his upper body during a face‑off in Pittsburgh on Oct. 11, was activated Monday night before the Rangers played the Minnesota Wild. The move meant that rookie Matthew Robertson stayed on the top pair instead of a veteran, a decision Sullivan said was hard to make. He added, “Every player brings something to the team, so we don’t take those decisions lightly.”
The change rolled out as Soucy skated beside Will Borgen in the first three games, then paired with Braden Schneider for the third shift during the 3‑1 loss in Madison Square Garden. Robertson’s solid play in his first four relief games earned him a permanent spot with Borgen. As a result, 26‑year‑old Urho Vaakanainen missed his first game of the season, watching the rookie’s growth from the bench.
Soucy explained that his injury sounds bad but feels better than it first seemed. “It looked worse than it was,” he told reporters. “I was shocked when it happened, but I’ve been feeling good. Skates feel good, and I’m ready to get back in the game.” He added that the team rightfully used the injured reserve status to give him time to fully recover before returning to the crease.
Sullivan’s head coach also noted that Vladimir Gavrikov still partners with Adam Fox as the depth pair and that the Rangers are still waiting for Vincent Trocheck, the 32‑year‑old center on long‑term injured reserve, to get back on the ice. Trocheck won’t be eligible again until at least Nov. 1. “He’s doing very well. He’s progressing, and we’ll see where he is next,” Sullivan said.
On the other side of the net, goalie Igor Shesterkin turned back 29 of 31 shots on the Wild’s twenty‑one attempts, his fourth loss of the season. The Rangers’ effort to stay competitive is hampered by injuries but the lineup changes bring fresh chemistry on defense.
For fans at Madison Square Garden and those following the Rangers online, the key takeaways are:
– Carson Soucy returned to the lineup after an upper‑body injury.
– Mike Sullivan kept Matthew Robertson on the top pair after showing strong play in relief.
– Urho Vaakanainen was scratched for the first time this season.
– Vincent Trocheck remains out until at least Nov. 1.
– Shesterkin’s solid performance, though the team lost 3‑1 to Minnesota.
The Rangers will next face the New Jersey Devils in their next road trip, where they’re hoping to build on the defensive stability Soucy’s return brings.
Source: New York Post
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