Adam Fox’s scoring drought doesn’t concern Peter Laviolette at all.
The Rangers defenseman has yet to score this year, though he does have 20 assists.
“To be honest, if our team is finding wins and finding a way to be successful, we’re definitely not even talking about that because he’s a part of it with regard to that,” Laviolette said Tuesday afternoon after Rangers practice. “So we’re bringing up something inside of a time where our team’s not doing well.
“I haven’t talked to him about scoring a goal. I’ve talked to him more about his play and being a two-way defenseman, playing good defense, contributing offensively, whether that means not even getting the points, just contributing offensively, because those are his strengths.”
Rookie Brett Berard practiced on Tuesday in a green noncontact jersey.
The 22-year-old missed Monday’s 5-1 loss to the Devils with an upper-body injury.
Berard had notched a goal and an assist in the first four games of his NHL career since being elevated from AHL Hartford last week. Laviolette did not yet know if he’ll be available on Friday against the Devils.
Laviolette notably took longer than usual to speak with the media following Monday’s loss.
“Just meetings in the room,” Laviolette said a day later on Tuesday. “That’s all.”
The Rangers used the same line combinations in Tuesday’s practice that they opened the season with. It’s also how they ended Monday’s loss.
Artemi Panarin, Vincent Trocheck and Alexis Lafreniere skated on the first line. Chris Kreider, Mika Zibanejad and Reilly Smith skated on the second line.
Will Cuylle, Filip Chytil and Kaapo Kakko skated on the third line. Adam Edstrom, Sam Carrick and Jimmy Vesey skated on the fourth line.
Fox was paired with Ryan Lindgren, K’Andre Miller was paired with Braden Schneider and Zac Jones was paired with Jacob Trouba.
The Rangers sent defenseman Chad Ruhwedel down to Hartford.
