DESPITE COACH'S APPLAUSE, JONES BACK TO BEING HEALTHY SCRATCH

 You don’t think fans are fickle in New York … especially those who follow the NHL Rangers? … Richmond’s ZAC JONES has gone from “too small … get rid of him” to keep Jones, dump JACOB TROUBA: “Odds he turns the puck over or ices it on the first shift, 3 to 1.” … In fact, the Broadway Blueshirts were 2-0 during Trouba’s recent suspension for elbowing … Jones, at 5-11, 185 the same size as NY’s ADAM FOX, 2022 winner of the Norris Trophy, was plus-4 (game-winning goal and assist) in 7-2 comeback win over Ottawa then played a personal-season-high 18:07 (2 blocked shots, 0 plus-minus) as the Rangers again came-from-behind with a 2-1 verdict over favored Colorado Monday night at Madison Square Garden … As much as it must pain him, first-year coach PETER LAVIOLETTE has had to say some nice things about Jones who was a healthy scratch in 33 of the team’s first 48 games: “He’s really been a good solider,” Laviolette told The New York Post. “Works hard every day. Great disposition. Great teammate. Positive attitude.” … This was in response to a question about CONNOR MACKEY, a journeyman defenseman who had a rare (for NY) fight against Ottawa and thereby became an instant favorite of the Rangers’ fan base which has been clamoring for more rough stuff. In parts of four NHL campaigns, a total of 55 games, Jones has yet to drop the gloves. Why wasn’t Mackey in the lineup instead of Jones? “Because,” Laviolette said, “[Jones] came off a monster game, and it didn’t make sense to jump the order.” … In case you’re wondering … Jones has had one fight in four seasons as a pro. On April 7, 2022, while playing for AHL Hartford, he was challenged by SCOTT WILSON (Charlotte Checkers) … and won a unanimous decision. You can look it up on Hockeyfights.com. It’s all there … Meanwhile, the Rangers met the Tampa Bay Lightning Wednesday night. Mackey was back in Hartford … while Trouba was back in the lineup … and Z Jones? A healthy scratch, what else? … ERIC GUSTAFSSON, who was given Jones’ job opposite BRADEN SCHNEIDER on the third defensive pairing after signing as a free agent, continues to be a favorite of Laviolette … and Big Apple media including one who gave him an A minus for his play prior to the All-Star game break, describing the 31 year old (who played for Laviolette last year in Washington) as “invaluable at moving the puck … facilitating smooth zone exits.” … In truth, Gustafsson has been a bad-pass-waiting-to-happen … coughing up the puck in his end consistently ... keeping goalies IGOR SHESTERKIN and JONATHAN QUICK under constant pressure to bail him out … Having accounted for 15 points in the first 20 games, Gustafsson has only 8 in the last 30 despite being on the No. 2 power play unit … Shesterkin, in particular, has been criticized for a poor saves percentage yet it says here he has been too often victimized by a shaky blueline corps. K’ANDRE MILLER, who teams with Trouba on the No. 2 pairing, too often gets caught out of position. Fox makes up for poor defense by scoring a bunch of points, especially on the power play … His partner, RYAN LINDGREN is a fan-favorite because he doesn’t back down from anyone. Unfortunately, his aggressiveness too often leads to injuries … and Schneider, at 21, the team’s youngest regular, has taken a step back this season … perhaps because of Gustafsson … Nevertheless, the Rangers are 32-16-3 and have led the Metropolitan division since season’s start. They take a six-point lead over second-place Carolina into Friday night’s game in Chicago against the Blackhawks who have the league’s worst record (14-35-2).