After not having played since Dec. 23, Zac Jones was back for a second straight game in Friday’s 3-2 loss to Pittsburgh at Madison Square Garden. 

Despite showing promise in his return to the team following an illness that kept Urho Vaakanainen out of Wednesday’s game against Boston, Jones was unfortunately unable to contribute in the subsequent defeat to the Penguins on Friday. The team suffered a significant loss in this game.

The pair of Jones and Braden Schneider struggled, much like the rest of the lineup in a game the Rangers could hardly afford to drop. 

Prior to the loss, Peter Laviolette praised Jones’ game. 

The coach commended Jones for his strong understanding of the game and highlighted his skills, such as excellent skating ability, making effective passes, and reading defensive situations well. After the game, they had discussions to reiterate the team’s expectations, and Jones demonstrated good execution of these tactics during play.

How that impacts Jones going forward remains to be seen. 

Prior to Wednesday, he had been a healthy scratch in 18 straight games, as well as 20 of the past 21. 

Reflecting on his past experiences, Jones acknowledged the challenges of being in and out of the lineup last year, emphasizing the importance of adapting to different circumstances and maintaining a readiness to perform at his best regardless of the situation. He recognized the need to remain consistent and prepared for any given game day.

With Vaakanainen out, that situation meant more time on the ice for Jones, although the Rangers have just Saturday’s game at Columbus before the 4 Nations break. 

“It’s tough. You come into the lineup after being out a while and want to stick to your game in a sense, but also [playing time is] in the back of your mind,” Jones said. “I’m not gonna say it’s not. It’s natural to think something like that.” 

With Adam Edstrom out indefinitely with a lower-body injury, Jimmy Vesey replaced him on the fourth line against the Bruins, alongside Matt Rempe and Sam Carrick. 

The line played well in their first game together, but Rempe made a costly bad pass early in the second period Friday that led to Pittsburgh’s first goal. 

Rempe, though, is hopeful the line plays well with Vesey, despite Edstrom’s absence. 

“We played a ton last year in the playoffs, so I’m really comfortable with him,” Rempe said. 

Even so, Vesey won’t be able to bring the same level of physicality the 6-foot-7 Edstrom did. 

Rempe said he didn’t expect Edstrom’s absence to impact the way he plays, since he already uses his force effectively. 

“I feel like no matter who’s out there with me, I play physical,” Rempe said. “So my game doesn’t change at all, even though I’m going to miss [Edstrom].” 

What Rempe is more focused on is what he’s been addressing for much of the season: becoming a more well-rounded player. 

“I think my game is improving a lot,” Rempe said. “As a player, I’m learning about making more plays with the puck, and I want to continue to develop and build on that. I want to be a really good player, and I feel the more time I get, the more that will happen.” 

Jonny Brodzinski entered Friday with two points in his previous three games (a goal and an assist), after not playing for three weeks. 

But Filip Chytil’s departure to Vancouver in the trade that landed the Rangers J.T. Miller, as well as Mika Zibanejad’s switch to the wing, has at least for now made Brodzinski the team’s third-line center. 

Laviolette said Brodzinski has experience at center, stemming from last season, when Brodzinski was at AHL Hartford and the organization looked to get him some time there. 

“We were thinking he may need this because he was one of [Hartford’s] top players on a consistent basis and he’s done a good job evolving,” Laviolette said. 

Laviolette noted the 31-year-old’s natural position is on the wing but added Brodzinski has the traits to be successful at center. 

“He’s got the assets to do it,” Laviolette said of Brodzinski. “He’s a good, fast, smart player. … He can read things. He’s a quick skater and sees things well.”