Alberts Smits out with injury as another Rangers defenseman progresses toward return
EDMONTON, Alberta — Alberts Smits is considered week to week with an upper-body injury, the Rangers announced Monday.The rookie defenseman had appeared in all 17 games for the Rangers before he was a last-minute scratch for the win over Seattle on Saturday.Despite taking warmups against the Kraken, Smits ultimately didn’t dress and watched from the press box with the other scratches for the first time this season.
Join Post Sports+ for exciting subscriber-only features, including real-time texting with Mollie Walker about the inside buzz on the Rangers.“I don’t know exactly when it happened,” head coach Mike Sullivan said before the Rangers fell 3-1 to the Oilers at Rogers Place on Monday.
“It wasn’t during warmup, but yes, obviously, he was dealing with it.I don’t know the exact time.”Smits is the second Rangers defenseman to go down with an injury this season, after the Rangers put Sean Durzi on injured reserve with a lower-body injury last week.
Durzi participated in an optional morning skate Monday in a red noncontact jersey, which indicates the 28-year-old blueliner is progressing toward a return after missing his fifth straight game.Since his injury is retroactive to Oct.26, however, Durzi can be activated and slot back into the Rangers lineup at any time.Their pair has been a bit of a weak spot for the Rangers this season, but Smits continues to adjust to the NHL game.Among the 46 defense pairs who have logged at least 140 minutes of 5-on-5 ice time, Braden Schneider and Smits’ 3.63 expected goals against per 60 is the second highest, per Natural Stat Trick.The only duo with a higher rate is the Sharks’ Michael Kesselring and Darnell Nurse (3.82 xGA/60).“I think Smitty’s learning curve has been steep,” Sullivan said.
“I think he’s getting better and better with every game he’s played.I’ve said to you guys all along, I think No.
1, playing defense in this league is the hardest position to play for so many reasons...