Zac Jones will skate with Erik Gustafsson against the Colorado Avalanche following an impressive display in Ottawa before the All-Star Break.
New York Rangers defenseman Zac Jones slots back into the lineup for Monday's contest against the Colorado Avalanche for the club's first game following the All-Star break.
Jones, 23, has skated in 16 contests for the Rangers this season. No game was as effective as the Jan. 27 match against the Ottawa Senators.
With Jacob Trouba still serving a suspension for an elbow on Jan. 26, the Rangers needed help from within the organization to fill the hole in the lineup and help the team earn a confidence win to conclude a mediocre January.
The Richmond, VA, native did just that on both ends of the ice, skating at 14:12 on 19 shifts, scoring the go-ahead goal off the rush, and posting a +4 skater rating in the Bluehsirts 7-2 victory.
"I thought Jones who has been here all year and played a heck of a game," Rangers head coach Peter Laviolette said ahead of the Rangers contest against the Colorado Avalanche.
"I thought he and [Gustaffson] were excellent with their game and how they played it. We got a guy that's been here all year trying to get an opportunity to play. [H]e's one of the good soldiers for us and works hard every day. [He has a] Great disposition, and a great work ethic. [He's a] Great teammate, with a positive attitude, and he just came off a monster game of his own."
Erik Gustafsson has anchored the bottom pairing for the Rangers this season, recording an assist and a +3 rating against the Ottawa Senators as Jones's partner.
The 31-year-old Swedish defender has recorded 23 points (4 goals, 19 assists) for the Rangers this season, most notably stepping into the first power play unit for Adam Fox when he was injured in November.
The two rearguards play the game with a similar style. They have an active stick, are mobile, can carry the puck, and can execute high IQ passes on zone exits as well as controlling play at the offensive zone blue line.
The Blueshirts' seventh defender has another opportunity to step up and play an important role alongside lineup regular Erik Gustafsson tonight against the Colorado Avalanche.