Scott Morrow getting opportunity to impress with Rangers chance extended: ‘A lot more ready’

LAS VEGAS — The recalling of Scott Morrow by the Rangers amid uncertainty surrounding Will Borgen’s status provided some insight into the team’s approach to configuring the defense. 

As the Rangers prepared to face the Golden Knights at T-Mobile Arena, Borgen, who missed the previous two games with an upper-body injury, was a game-time decision once again Tuesday night. Borgen ultimately dressed and lined up alongside Carson Soucy, while Matthew Robertson slotted next to Braden Schneider on the third pair.

After making his season debut Sunday against the Red Wings, Morrow was scratched Tuesday night amid Borgen’s return.

“We’ve been really excited about Scotty’s game,” head coach Mike Sullivan said before the Rangers’ 3-2 loss to the Golden Knights. “I think he’s a good, solid two-way defenseman. I think he’s a good puck mover, in particular. Given the fact that we have a right-handed shot that was questionable [Borgen], both [assistant coach David Quinn] and I prefer to have defensemen on their strong side, for a lot of reasons. We could talk for three days on it. The other aspect of it is some of our lefties just aren’t comfortable playing the offside … it’s very different. We didn’t want to put any of the players in difficult circumstances. So that was part of the decision for Scotty to get called up. 

“We’re also excited about his game and potentially where it could go. He’s a really good puck mover. We think he has decent instincts offensively. He can help us with a transition game. He’s pretty good along the offensive blue line. He has good size. I think, positionally, there’s an opportunity for growth there and I think we’ve got a chance to help him. Physically, I think he’s capable of playing at this level. He’s hockey strong, and he has good size. 

“Those are all the things that attracted us to him in the first place. We think potentially he has the ability to be an impact player at this level at some point in time. When that happens, I think it depends on him and it depends on the situation. He’ll get an opportunity to play and has got an opportunity to play. We’ll see where it goes.”