The Rangers called up Hartford captain Marc Del Gaizo on Sunday after rookie Alberts Smits was hurt and with Sean Durzi still on injured reserve. With two regular defensemen out, the Rangers try to stretch a three-game winning streak in Edmonton, against an Oilers team that has had the upper hand in this matchup.<\/p>\n
The Rangers added depth to a thinning defense corps on Sunday. Marc Del Gaizo, the captain of the Hartford Wolf Pack, joins the club ahead of Monday\u2019s game against the Oilers in Edmonton. Sean Durzi remains on injured reserve. Alberts Smits is now hurt as well.<\/p>\n
The recall says something about Smits. The rookie had not missed a game this season before the scratch in Seattle. Bringing up a defenseman for a single absence would be unusual. The move is consistent with the club preparing for Smits to miss more than one game.<\/p>\n
Matthew Robertson stepped in for Smits in Seattle. He played just over 11 minutes in his season debut. Robertson could stay in the lineup in Edmonton, with Del Gaizo now available as another option.<\/p>\n
Del Gaizo leads Hartford\u2019s defensemen in every scoring category<\/p>\n
Del Gaizo has 11 points in 15 games for Hartford this season. He leads the Wolf Pack\u2019s defensemen in goals, assists and points, according to the club. The Basking Ridge, New Jersey, native was named Hartford captain on October 27.<\/p>\n
The Rangers signed him to a two-year contract on July 1, 2026. At that point he had 9 NHL points over two seasons with Nashville. Last season he produced 27 points in 63 games for the AHL\u2019s Laval Rocket.<\/p>\n
That profile suggests a defenseman who can move the puck at the AHL level. He also brings NHL experience that a younger call-up could not offer. For a team missing two regulars, that combination matters on a road trip.<\/p>\n
Hartford moved quickly to cover his absence. The Wolf Pack brought defensemen Anthony Kehrer and Cooper Moore back from loan to the ECHL\u2019s Worcester Railers.<\/p>\n
Edmonton has had the edge in this matchup lately<\/p>\n
The Rangers arrive in Edmonton at 10-7-1. The Oilers are 12-3-3. Edmonton beat the Rangers 4-1 at Madison Square Garden on November 1, the latest result in a run of success against New York.<\/p>\n
Special teams will be a key test. The Rangers\u2019 penalty kill runs at 89.0%. For 11 games in a row, Edmonton has found the net at least once with the man advantage. Penalty killing leans heavily on defensemen. With Durzi and Smits both out, the Rangers will need their remaining defensemen to slow that streak.<\/p>\n
Marc Del Gaizo has been recalled from the Hartford Wolf Pack.<\/p>\n