Rangers’ Zac Jones praised for ‘big game’ in first action in more than a month

Despite a change to the defense for the first time in 19 games, the Rangers were able to retake control of a matchup with the Bruins to come away with a 3-2 win Wednesday night at Madison Square Garden.

With Urho Vaakanainen ruled out because of illness, Zac Jones was inserted into the Rangers lineup for the first time since Dec. 23.

Jones had served as a healthy scratch in the previous 18 straight games, as well as 20 of the last 21.

Zac Jones skates with the puck against Justin Brazeau during the Rangers’ 3-2 win over the Bruins on Feb. 5, 2025.

In total, the 24-year-old defenseman has spent 26 games watching from the press box this season.

“I thought he was really good,” head coach Peter Laviolette said of Jones. “Not just moving the puck and the skating, but for me, it was the way he attacked defensively in the defensive zone. The way he closed, there was extra attitude in what he was doing out there. That’s what we’ve been looking for, too.

“I thought he really responded with a big game. Sometimes those games can be tougher because you haven’t been up to speed.”

Paired with Braden Schneider, the duo combined for two shots on goal, two blocks and three hits in the win.

The complexion of the Rangers fourth line has changed drastically in the wake of Adam Edstrom’s potentially season-ending lower-body injury.

What was a bruising forechecking unit composed of Edstrom, Matt Rempe and Sam Carrick, who began to chip in offensively as they developed chemistry, is now a trio who skated in just their third game of the season together Wednesday night against the Bruins amid the addition of Jimmy Vesey.