Just 10 days into his NHL career, Gabe Perreault had his first healthy scratch designation. 

The 19-year-old forward made the decision to join the Rangers and played three games under head coach Peter Laviolette. However, in the most recent game against the Flyers, Laviolette chose to scratch him in favor of Brett Berard.

As a result, Berard slotted back onto the fourth line next to Sam Carrick and Chris Kreider.  

Laviolette explained his decision, stating, “We’re going to put Berard back in the lineup, so again, 12 forwards. Coming in, I think for a young player — especially straight out of college — there’s going to be times I think where you can teach him and show him and let him watch and learn and practice and play in some games, as well. Where he’s had good impact in the game, where the impact can be more. He’s been good.”

Despite averaging 13:31 of ice time in his first three games, Perreault has already experienced playing with different wingers and in various line combinations, showcasing his versatility on the ice.

After spending his first two games on the left wing of J.T. Miller and Alexis Lafrenière, the 23rd-overall pick in 2023 was then put on the right wing of Carrick and Kreider in the 5-1 loss to the Lightning earlier this week. 

Perreault wrapped up his sophomore season at Boston College last month, after the Eagles lost to Denver in the NCAA Tournament Regional Final. 

Asked if there’s increased urgency to assess Perreault as much as possible considering how few games he would be around for, Laviolette firmly said no. 

“When we go back and look at the game, coaches sit down and go through things with him,” he said. “I think it’s a learning process for young players. Whether it be practice, games, video, watching — could be a combination of all of it. Big step coming out of college and right into a lineup. Other players are sitting out, as well, that we want to continue to look at and put them in the lineup, as well.” 

Mika Zibanejad earned a penalty shot just 1:15 into the game, but the Swedish center went way wide.

It counted as the Rangers’ 11th straight miss of a penalty shot, with the last successful one coming from Dan Boyle on Dec. 9, 2015.

The Rangers signed Anton Blidh to a two-year, two-way contract extension, the team announced Wednesday. 

According to PuckPedia, Blidh is guaranteed $385,000 and will make $775,000 at the NHL level and $350,000 in the minors.

In 66 games with the Wolf Pack this season, the 30-year-old has collected 17 goals and 13 assists. 

Word out of Hartford is that goalie Louis Domingue is signing with the Kontinental Hockey League’s SKA St. Petersburg next season.

He’ll finish out the rest of the 2024-25 campaign with the Wolf Pack, but his three-season tenure with the Rangers organization is coming to an end. 

Domingue played two games for the Rangers when both Igor Shesterkin and Jonathan Quick were unavailable on Nov. 9, 2023, and Jan. 5 this year.

Both were Blueshirts wins. 

After missing Monday’s game because of illness, defenseman K’Andre Miller took warmups and participated in line rushes but did not play Wednesday.

Zac Jones remained in the lineup.