On what turned out to be a disappointing result for the Rangers in a 6-3 defeat to the Caps, there was a big positive that came out of the game. After a month away due to suffering a separated shoulder on a Brandon Hagel hit on Nov. 29, Adam Fox finally was activated off long-term injured reserve. He missed 14 games due to the upper-body injury.

With Fox finally back, the Rangers assigned Scott Morrow to the Hartford Wolf Pack. In his return, he had a goal and assist to pick up right where he left off. With the Rangers trailing the Caps late in the first period, Fox helped set up Vincent Trocheck’s tying goal. The secondary assist extended his point streak to seven (1-11-12) games dating back to Nov. 20.

After the Rangers fell behind 3-1, they went on the power play. It was there that Fox was badly missed. Right away, he made a difference by taking a Mika Zibanejad pass and blasting a slap shot past Charlie Lindgren for a power-play goal that pulled the Rangers within one.

The goal was his fourth of the season and second on the power play. Although he blew an assignment on a Caps goal, Fox looked good for his first game back after being out the past four weeks. Reunited with defense partner Vladislav Gavrikov, who played a game-high 24:07, Fox logged 21:13 in 27 shifts while finishing with two points to hike his season total to 28 (4-24-28) in 28 games.

When Fox was gone, the Rangers’ power play struggled badly by going 5-for-33 (15.1 percent). In particular, the number one unit had its issues. Coach Mike Sullivan tried a five-forward unit that had no success and gave up two shorthanded goals without the goalie being pulled. He also used Morrow as the quarterback. Unfortunately, he had a giveaway that led to another shorthanded goal during that stretch. In the recent 3-2 overtime loss at the Hurricanes, Gavrikov scored on the power play with the top unit.

Overall, the Blueshirts started the day tied with the Jets for 13th on the man-advantage (19.8). Four of the six shorthanded goals allowed came over the last month without Fox. They’re tied with the Sharks for the most shorthanded goals allowed this season.

In converting on their only opportunity on Fox’s one-timer off a play set up from both Zibanejad and Artemi Panarin, they’re hoping that he can provide more consistency to a unit that needs it. An outstanding offensive player who is superb at reading the play from the point, Fox is a terrific passer who can find open teammates. He also is adept at shooting for deflections. One of the best quarterbacks in the league, the 27-year-old has nine power-play points.

For the Rangers, the most important takeaway is that Fox looked healthy. He skated well and didn’t show any lingering signs. With over a month left before the Olympics, he’ll be crucial if they want to stay in the playoff race.

In related news, he won’t be part of Team USA. They still haven’t made an official announcement on the Olympic roster. However, all indications are that Fox will not represent USA. It’s been reported that they’re taking Seth Jones as one of the eight defensemen.

In a world where Fox is still one of the game’s elite blue liners, it’s absurd that he won’t make a roster that’ll be coached by Sullivan, who has seen firsthand how vital he is. Then again, Wild general manager Bill Guerin is the one who makes the selections that’ll also likely exclude Jason Robertson and Lane Hutson. Assuming they fall short in their bid to break a 46-year gold medal drought in Italy, the blame will fall directly on Guerin.

At the very least, Fox will get more time to rest. I can’t imagine he didn’t anticipate getting to represent his country like he had last year at 4-Nations. Unlike 2025, he’s moving much better. It isn’t so much a criticism on skilled players such as Quinn Hughes, Zach Werenski, and Jake Sanderson. It’s puzzling that they couldn’t find a spot for Fox in their top eight. Then again, it doesn’t sound like they strongly considered Hutson, who’s already one of the best offensive defensemen in the sport.

While most of the American roster has been leaked by multiple sources, with Jones, Clayton Keller, and Tage Thompson all making the cut, Hockey Canada revealed its roster earlier this afternoon on TSN.

Like USA, Canada had some oversights as well. They could’ve chosen Sam Bennett over Anthony Cirelli and Wyatt Johnston over Brayden Point. Jakob Chychrun probably deserved to make the back end.

Regardless, the Canadians are loaded and will be heavy favorites in Milano Cortina.