Hrivik, Jensen Adjusting on the Fly for Rangers

Injuries are part of hockey, but the Rangers have been hit especially hard over the last month.
Pavel Buchnevich hasn't played since Nov. 12 due to back problems, while Mika Zibanejad has been sidelined since Nov. 20 with a broken fibula.
In the more short-term, Jimmy Vesey missed a game recently and Rick Nash hasn't suited up in a week with a tweaked groin. Forward Matt Puempel has been out of action for a week with a concussion.

The Rangers have promoted from within to fill the voids, and thus far the returns have been positive for both Marek Hrivik and Nicklas Jensen, who have played four games and three games, respectively, over the last week.
Hrivik has been utilized in a more defensive role since his recall on Dec. 5, but has found a good position in the lineup on a line with Oscar Lindberg and Jesper Fast, two players he has a history with.
"I've gotten a little more ice time since the start," Hrivik told NYRangers.com Sunday. "I'm playing with two great linemates that I used to play with in Hartford. I think we have a little bit of chemistry going on and I feel good out there with them. We had a good game in Chicago. We just have to keep it going."
Hrivik was - and still is - leading the Wolf Pack in scoring with eight goals and nine assists for 17 points in 20 games at the time of his recall to New York. It's been a change for him going from being one of the players the team relies on for scoring to being one relied to play a shutdown defensive role.
With that said, Hrivik said his line's strong play has led to more ice time, thus making the adjustment a bit easier. He's played at least 13:57 in the last three games after just 10:07 in his debut Dec. 6.
One change, though, is where a majority of his shifts begin.
"I was playing big minutes in Hartford, but it's a little different role in the case of the power play," Hrivik said. "Obviously you're starting the draws more in the D-zone. That's a little bit different from starting in the O-zone. Obviously the power play ice time is offensive chances, but we had pretty good pressure [against Chicago] and we had a lot of chances and a lot of shots but we just have to put some pucks in the net."
Head coach Alain Vigneault said he liked several aspects of Hrivik's game, namely his size and speed.
"A big body [who] skates well and gets in on the forecheck and can create turnovers. He's done a real good job with Oscar and Quickie at getting pucks out and taking the hit to get it out," Vigneault said. "If you look at the last game [against Chicago], that line had something like 15 shots on net against a real strong opponent. They played a real good game."
Like Hrivik, Jensen is accustomed to being a go-to offensive player for his team, but is being used in a depth role alongside Brandon Pirri and Jimmy Vesey. Jensen said playing with those types of players, though, makes the change easier as the trio is still looked at to provide offense.
"I think that does help a little bit. Down there I'm used to playing an offensive role and playing big minutes and obviously it's a little bit different but you try and adjust as good as you can and I think it's been going well," Jensen said. "The more and more you play, the more confidence you get out there. I think that's the biggest thing: to play with confidence and believe in yourself."
One area that is familiar to Jensen is the power play, and Vigneault has been quick to insert the 23-year-old onto his second unit.
"His size in front of the net, a big body [that's] hard to move," Vigneault said. "That's usually his position. He's a guy that's shown he's got pretty good hands. He doesn't mind going to those tough areas, and right now with the personnel we have, we feel he's a good fit there."
Jensen said he's getting more comfortable each day with his new teammates, which translates to better play on the ice.
"The first couple games here obviously you'll be a little nervous and maybe overthinking things a little bit, but the more you play and the more you hangout with the guys you're around, the looser you get about small stuff and I think that helps with the confidence on the ice," he said. "Every time we're here or on the ice in the game, you're trying to do your best to stick around."