The NHL is entering a critical week with the upcoming trade deadline on Friday. Six games are scheduled on deadline day, which is surprising given the potential player movements. As teams balance their playoff aspirations and potential trades, several key players are in the spotlight.

The Boston Bruins, currently on the playoff bubble, might consider trading Brad Marchand, especially after his recent upper-body injury. Meanwhile, David Pastrnak is on fire with a remarkable 17-game point streak. The Anaheim Ducks will rely on Lukas Dostal in net, as John Gibson's future remains uncertain amidst trade rumors.

For the Colorado Avalanche, Jonathan Drouin's recent contributions and Valeri Nichushkin's return from injury provide a silver lining. The New York Rangers are feeling the pressure, with Adam Fox on IR, and are hoping to make a significant move as they look for a turnaround.

St. Louis' Brayden Schenn is a player to watch, as he might be on the move, while Tampa Bay's Andrei Vasilevskiy is aiming to maintain his impressive form. With many teams playing multiple games this week, fatigue and performance will be crucial as the deadline approaches.

The New York Rangers face a pivotal matchup against the Toronto Maple Leafs, vying for a playoff spot while missing key players Chris Kreider and Adam Fox. Fox's absence is particularly significant, as he has been a crucial part of their offensive generation and puck movement on defense. Without him, the team relies heavily on Igor Shesterkin in goal, who has proven to be a wildcard, often leading the Rangers to unexpected victories.

The Rangers, currently just four points behind the Columbus Blue Jackets, are in a must-win situation. However, given their inconsistent performance this season, fans are left wondering if they will rise to the occasion. This game not only affects their standings but also their morale as they navigate through a challenging season.

In a series of injury updates, Boston Bruins forward Trent Frederic is now week-to-week with a lower-body injury, which complicates his impending free agency and trade status. Meanwhile, Chicago Blackhawks forward Nick Foligno also left a game early due to a lower-body issue.

Several other notable players are on the injury report, including Edmonton Oilers defenseman Darnell Nurse, who missed his last game due to an undisclosed injury. The Vancouver Canucks and Montreal Canadiens are also affected, with Canucks’ Matthew Tkachuk sidelined for the weekend and Canadiens’ Kirby Dach missing multiple games with an injury.

The Nashville Predators reported that both Roman Josi and Mark Jankowski missed games due to injuries, while the New York Rangers are concerned about Adam Fox, who has been placed on IR with a lower-body injury. J.T. Miller also missed practice, and Chris Kreider could return soon.

The New York Rangers are facing a significant setback as they approach the critical 60-game mark in the season. Star defenseman Adam Fox has been placed on Injured Reserve following an upper-body injury sustained during a recent game against the New York Islanders. This marks a bitter blow for the Rangers, who were relying heavily on Fox's stellar performance, which had seen him contribute five goals and 43 assists, making him one of the highest-scoring defensemen in the NHL.

Fox’s absence is compounded by the injury to K'Andre Miller, another key defenseman, which leaves the Rangers in a precarious position as they struggle to secure a playoff spot. Despite the grim news, NHL insiders suggest that Fox's injury is not season-ending, though a precise timeline for his return remains uncertain. The pressure is now on the remaining Rangers' players to step up, as they must navigate a challenging path to the playoffs without their top defenders.

New York Rangers defenseman Adam Fox has been placed on injured reserve due to an upper-body injury suffered during a recent game against the Islanders. Despite this setback, the team is optimistic about his return in time for the playoffs. Fox, a prominent figure in the league, has maintained a strong performance this season, currently ranking fourth among NHL defensemen with 48 points. Additionally, K'Andre Miller also left the same game with an undisclosed injury, leaving the Rangers in a precarious position as they chase a Wild Card playoff spot, sitting just two points shy.