Adam Fox’s first goal gives Rangers blueliner ‘sense of relief’
Adam Fox’s first goal of the season Wednesday night against the Sabres was both an empty-netter and the game-winner.
Launching the puck down the ice off a defensive-zone faceoff win by Vincent Trocheck, the 26-year-old defenseman gave the Rangers some insurance in the form of a pivotal 3-1 lead over the Sabres at KeyBank Center.
It proved to be a crucial score as Tage Thompson pulled Buffalo within one with 37.7 seconds left in regulation.
Still hunting for his first goal of the season in Game 28, was Fox aiming for the net?
“Nowadays, you’re always seeing guys send it. I think that’s the probability part of it of just getting it over the blue,” he said. “They’re probably coming back. If you have an opportunity, rise up, took a shot at it, trust Troch to win a draw if I miss, which another one did. Turned out to be a meaningful goal there.”
Through the first 28 games last season and this season, Fox totaled exactly 25 points each time.
He had four goals at that point last season, while Wednesday night’s was his first of the 2024-25 campaign.
Still, Fox’s 25 points so far this season are tied with the Lightning’s Victor Hedman and the Hurricanes’ Shayn Gostisbehere for the fifth most among defensemen in the NHL.
“A little bit,” Fox said when asked if going goalless was weighing on him. “It’s obviously a relief. Anyone wants to get in the goal column. It’s not something I judge my play off of. I’m trying to still contribute and, like we’ve been saying, trying to defend hard and focus on that first. Not trying to cheat to get that first one. I’m plenty happy seeing forwards score and give it to them, but anyone wants to contribute and get goals, too. Definitely a little bit of a sense of relief.”
The Rangers were off Thursday before they are set to return to the ice for practice in Tarrytown on Friday.