Adam Edstrom was absent from the New York Rangers’ lineup on Sunday against the Vegas Golden Knights due to a lower-body injury sustained during Saturday’s 6-3 loss to the Boston Bruins.
Edstrom exited the game against Boston after just six shifts, playing only twice in the second period and logging a total of 4:22 of ice time. His final shift ended at 7:51 of the middle frame.
“He’s out tonight,” Rangers coach Peter Laviolette confirmed before Sunday’s game. “He’s still being evaluated.”
Jimmy Vesey, who recently voiced frustration over limited playing time, replaced Edstrom on the fourth line. Meanwhile, Arthur Kaliyev remained a healthy scratch after also sitting out against the Bruins.
Edstrom had a standout moment earlier in the season when he netted the game-winning goal in the Rangers’ 2-1 victory over the Golden Knights on Jan. 11 at T-Mobile Arena, finishing off a setup from Jonny Brodzinski.
Edstrom to miss first game of season with lower-body injury
Before Sunday, Edstrom had appeared in all 51 games of his first full NHL season with the Rangers. The 6-foot-6 Swedish forward has recorded nine points (five goals, four assists), accumulated 27 penalty minutes, and holds a minus-5 rating while averaging 9:16 of ice time.
Three of his five goals have come in January, including the game-winner in New York’s 6-1 victory over the Philadelphia Flyers at Madison Square Garden on Jan. 23.
In 62 career NHL games, Edstrom has totaled 11 points (seven goals, four assists), 29 penalty minutes, and a minus-3 rating while averaging 9:07 of ice time.
He has established himself as a defensively reliable fourth-line winger, excelling in the forecheck and creating opportunities near the net.
Despite veteran players available, coach Peter Laviolette has continued to trust the 24-year-old, who was selected by the Rangers in the sixth round (No. 161) of the 2019 NHL Draft. Alongside center Sam Carrick and 6-foot-9 right wing Matt Rempe, Edstrom has been effective in a limited role.
Notably, Edstrom and Rempe matched an NHL record—previously set by Boston’s Zdeno Chara and Dougie Hamilton—for the tallest duo to combine for a goal when Edstrom assisted on Rempe’s tally during a 5-0 win over the Ottawa Senators on Jan. 21.
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