Daily Faceoff is a news site with no direct affiliation to the NHL, or NHLPA

New York Rangers News

Miller (upper-body) is likely to return to New York's lineup vs. Buffalo on Thursday.

Miller has been sidelined for nearly three weeks because of an upper-body injury, but should return to the lineup on Thursday against the Buffalo Sabres. The 32-year-old Miller has a pedestrian 22 points (10G / 22A) in 35 games this season, but was producing at a better rate lately, with eight points (3G / 5A) in his last nine games.

J.T. Miller
Lafreniere (illness) missed practice on Wednesday.

The Rangers are battling a myriad of key injuries and can ill afford to be without Lafrenier, who is under the weather and unable to practice on Wednesday. The 24-year-old Lafreniere has been held off the scoresheet in 28 of 44 games this season and continues to be unable to live up to the expectations he garnered when he was drafted first overall in the 2020 NHL Entry Draft. He has 24 points (9G / 15A) in 44 games this season.

Alexis Lafrenière
Shesterkin (lower-body) is expected to head to IR.

Shesterkin was forced to leave Monday's game after being involved in a collision with Utah's JJ Peterka in the first period. Shesterkin struggled to put weight on his left leg while being helped off the ice and was quickly ruled out for the game. He will miss, at minimum, one week before he is eligible to be activated off of Injured Reserve.

Igor Shesterkin
Fox (undisclosed) has been placed on LTIR.

Fox was just activated from LTIR and played only three games, and has been placed on LTIR again, meaning he will be sidelined for at least another month. It's unclear if his current injury is related to his previous injury, but nevertheless, it's a crushing blow for a Rangers team that is currently on the outside of the playoff picture. The 30-year-old Fox has 28 points (4G / 24A) in 30 games this season.

Adam Fox
Shesterkin (lower-body) will not return to Monday's game against the Mammoth.

Shesterkin was forced to leave Monday's game after being involved in a collision with Utah's JJ Peterka in the first period. Shesterkin struggled to put weight on his left leg while being helped off the ice and was quickly ruled out for the game. We should receive an update on his status ahead of New York's game against the Sabres on Thursday.

Igor Shesterkin
Miller (upper-body) has been cleared for contact and will practice with New York on Monday.

Miller has not played in over two weeks due to an upper-body injury, but appears to be nearing a return to the lineup. The 32-year-old Miller has a pedestrian 22 points (10G / 22A) in 35 games this season, but was producing at a better rate lately, with eight points (3G / 5A) in his last nine games. If he does not play on Monday against the Utah Mammoth, his next chance to enter the lineup will be on Thursday against the Buffalo Sabres.

J.T. Miller
Shesterkin will start vs. Utah on Monday.

Shesterkin was sensational in the Winter Classic on Friday, saving 36 of 37 shots (.973 SV%) in a 5-1 win over the Florida Panthers. The 30-year-old goalie has a 2.47 GAA and .912 SV% in 33 games this season (17-12-4), and has been exceptionally good lately, posting a 2.20 GAA and .931 SV% in his last six (4-1-1). The Rangers enter Monday's contest as slight +103 home underdogs against a Utah Mammoth team that has lost three of its last four games (1-3-0).

Igor Shesterkin
Shesterkin will start the 2026 Winter Classic in Florida.

The Rangers will of course turn to Shesterkin between the pipes when they travel to Florida on Friday for the 2026 Winter Classic. The former Vezina Trophy winner was unfortunate to be tagged with the loss in his last start, stopping 32 of the 35 shots he faced in a 3-2 overtime loss in Carolina on Monday. Shesterkin brings a 16-12-4 record and .910 SV% into the Winter Classic, where the Rangers enter action at +120 on the money line.

Igor Shesterkin
Sheary (lower-body) has been placed on LTIR.

Sheary suffered a lower-body injury in Wednesday's game against the Washington Capitals and did not return. He will be sidelined for at least a month after being placed on Long-Term Injured Reserve. The 33-year-old Sheary is averaging 14:48 time-on-ice and has nine points (1G / 8A) in 36 games this season.

Conor Sheary
Sheary (lower-body) left Wednesday's game vs. Washington and will not return.

Sheary suffered a lower-body injury in Wednesday's game against the Washington Capitals and will not return. The 33-year-old Sheary is averaging 14:48 time-on-ice and has nine points (1G / 8A) in 36 games this season.

Conor Sheary