New York recalled forward Nicklas Jensen from Hartford (AHL) on Wednesday and Oscar Lindberg is expected to remain in the lineup at center for the Rangers. If Vesey is unable to play, Josh Jooris is expected to get back into the lineup.
Despite the injuries, captain Ryan McDonagh said on Wednesday that the way the Rangers play should not change with personnel.
"We know the style we want to play," McDonagh said. "That shouldn't change anything. If there's a play to be made on the rush when they give us time and space, be creative and use your offensive skills there. If there isn't, be high percentage and get your pucks deep and forecheck to get to our strength as well."
The Rangers will have some reinforcements in Winnipeg as leading goal scorer Michael Grabner is expected to play after missing Tuesday's game against the Islanders following the death of his grandmother.
Goaltender Antti Raanta will get the start against the Jets Thursday. His only appearance against the Jets in his career came in relief as a member of the Chicago Blackhawks. He stopped 11 of 12 shots he faced. He enters the game with a 5-1 record to go along with a 2.20 GAA and a .931 SV%.
The Jets enter Thursday 4-1-1 in their last six games and are coming off a 4-3 shootout loss to the Detroit Red Wings on Tuesday.
Winnipeg has a high-powered offense that's scored 77 goals in 29 games this season, good enough for third-most in the Western Conference. That offense is led by young stars Mark Scheifele and 2016 second overall pick Patrik Laine. Scheifele, 23, has 13 goals and 13 assists for 26 points in 26 games. Scheifele is day-to-day with a lower body injury, according to the team's website.
Laine, meanwhile, is tied for the NHL lead in goals with 18 and leads all rookies in points with 25 in 29 games thus far this season.
"He's very confident," McDonagh said. "Not afraid to test you one-on-one. Certainly has a shot that he can really score from anywhere. You might not think he's very dangerous from far out, but he certainly can get a shot on net and through. He's very accurate."
Twenty-three-year-old Connor Hellebuyck has been up and down early in his first season as the Jets' bonafide No. 1 goaltender. He enters Thursday's game 10-9-1 with a 2.67 GAA and a .910 SV% but has a pair of shutouts to his name.
