Jimmy Vesey gets plugged into Rangers' third line against Avalanche

DENVER — Kevin Hayes’ inability to play Friday night because of a flareup of an upper- body injury suffered three weeks ago removed any question of whether Jimmy Vesey’s banishment to the press box would continue for a second game. The left wing, who sat out Wednesday’s 7-2 loss to the Penguins, was back in against Colorado, playing on the third line with center Brett Howden and right wing Pavel Buchnevich.

Coach David Quinn was asked what he hopes Vesey will improve on after his one-game exile.

“Just consistency in all . . . areas,’’ Quinn said. “One of the things we talked about is, our job is to make guys the best players they can be. And he’s on pace to score 20-plus goals. Well, I think there’s a 30-goal scorer in there if he continues to play hard and do the things he needs to do shift in and shift out.

“I think that’s a challenge for every player in this league — the consistency aspect of it,’’ Quinn added. “And we’ve had conversations and we thought that was the right move to get him going to the ability that he’s capable of playing with.’’

Vesey, 25, entered the game with 10 goals (tied for third-most on the team) and 20 points (good for fourth on the team).  

Blue shorts

As he promised, Quinn started backup goalie Alexandar Georgiev and gave Henrik Lundqvist the night off. Georgiev, who relieved Lundqvist after the sixth Penguins goal on Wednesday, last started Dec. 22 in Toronto, making 31 saves in a 5-3 loss . . . The defense remained unchanged from Wednesday’s game, with Brendan Smith and Tony DeAngelo being the two scratches . . . The trip continues with a game Sunday afternoon in Glendale, Arizona, against the Coyotes before finishing up Tuesday in Las Vegas against the Golden Knights.

By Colin Stephenson

colin.stephenson@newsday.comColinSNewsday

Colin Stephenson covers the Rangers for Newsday. He has spent more than two decades covering the NHL and just about every sports team in the New York metropolitan area.