Rangers’ K’Andre Miller, Adam Fox injured versus Islanders

Credit: © Timothy T. Ludwig

The New York Rangers were down to four defensemen Tuesday versus the Metropolitan Division rival New York Islanders as fellow rearguards K’Andre Miller and Adam Fox suffered injuries and did not return.

Early into the second period, Miller exited after sustaining a lower-body injury. In all, Miller closed out the night with 10:13 in ice time in which he recorded one block. On the season, the 25-year-old St. Paul, Minn., native has made 51 appearances with the Rangers in which he has registered four goals and 10 assists for 14 points alongside 10 penalty minutes and a minus-six rating.

Originally chosen 22nd overall by the Rangers in the 2018 NHL Draft, Miller’s five seasons in New York have totaled 345 career contests in which he has notched 33 goals and 86 assists for 119 points. Miller has also added three goals and nine assists for 12 points through 43 appearances in the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

Per PuckPedia, Miller is in the final year of a two-year pact that carries a $3,872,000 annual average value and can become a restricted free agent in July.

For Fox, the Rangers’ top rearguard exited early into the third period versus the Islanders after suffering an upper-body injury. Fox was later ruled out of the remainder of the contest before wrapping up the night with 17:48 in ice time in which he recorded one assist and four blocks.

Through 57 appearances with the Rangers this season, the 27-year-old product of Jericho, N.Y., has scored five times and added 42 assists to sit second in team scoring with 47 points. Fox has also picked up 26 penalty minutes and a plus-five rating while headlining the Rangers with more than 23 minutes of ice time per game.

In 2020-21, Fox was presented with the Norris Trophy as the NHL’s Defenseman of the Year after 55 outings with the Rangers in which he recorded five goals and 42 assists for 47 points. Fox is currently in the third year of a seven-year contract that has a $9.5-million annual average value, according to PuckPedia.

Entering Tuesday’s contest against the Islanders, the Rangers trailed the Columbus Blue Jackets by four points for the second wildcard seed in the Eastern Conference.