The New York Rangers will suffered a loss to their forward group. News emerged that forward Jimmy Vesey was injured during Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Final. The ailment is an upper-body injury and Vesey will be out week-to-week.
#NYR coach Peter Laviolette says Jimmy Vesey is week to week with an upper-body injury. No. 26 did make the trip.
No indication of who will come in for Vesey. Wheeler is cleared to play, as we knew.
— Mollie Walker (@MollieeWalkerr) May 25, 2024
Rangers Forward Jimmy Vesey Injured
Vesey was hurt in the second period following a heavy hit from Florida Panthers forward Ryan Lomberg. The veteran forward did not return, but no penalty was given to Lomberg. Rangers head coach Peter Laviolette said Vesey could miss the rest of the Eastern Conference Final.
The Boston native had 13 goals and 13 assists in 80 regular-season games for the Blueshirts. He had a Corsi for of 43.3 and a relative Corsi -9.9. Vesey also had one goal and two assists in 11 post-season games in 2023-24.
The soon-to-be 31-year-old has 96 goals and 90 assists in 583 career games. Vesey was originally drafted by the Nashville Predators in the third round, 66th overall of the 2012 NHL Draft. He’s played for the Rangers, Buffalo Sabres, New Jersey Devils, Toronto Maple Leafs and Vancouver Canucks over his eight-year NHL career.
Vesey was a decorated player at Harvard in the ECAC when in college. He’s also represented the United States on the international level at the World Juniors and World Championships.
What it Means
Jimmy Vesey being injured could open the door for Blake Wheeler‘s return to the lineup. Wheeler has been out of the lineup since suffering a lower-body injury on Feb. 15. The veteran did take part in the pre-game skate.
Laviolette could also go with Kaapo Kakko in Game 3. The former second overall pick was a healthy scratch for the Rangers, who went with a heavier lineup. New York went with Matt Rempe in the lineup to give the Blueshirts some more physicality.
The Rangers have options when it comes to their Game 3 lineup. This game will be at 3 p.m. Sunday in Sunrise, Fla.
Main photo by: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports
