Brendan Smith returned to the lineup after sitting out three games and as expected, Brady Skjei was scratched to make room.
“You know, he looks indecisive, really, in all areas,’’ coach David Quinn said of Skjei, who was the only Ranger to play in all 82 games last season. “I think he’s fighting it a little bit, mentally. And I’ve said this before, I think it’s good for a guy to take a deep breath, and watch and collect himself. We’ve had conversations, so he understands where we’re at, and when he’s back in, we fully expect him to be the player that we know he’s capable of being.