The New York Rangers will have to continue their hunt for the post-season without their top defenceman.

Mercogliano also reported that there’s belief Fox could return by the end of the season.

Fox, who recently represented the United States at the 4 Nations Face-Off, was ruled out halfway through the third period after he landed hard on his shoulder while falling during a scrum.

He appeared to be in considerable pain and immediately went to the Rangers’ locker room. He was ruled out with an upper-body injury.

The 27-year-old, who was awarded the Norris Trophy in 2021, has five goals and 48 points in 58 games, including one assist on Tuesday night. He averages over 23 minutes on ice per night.

Robertson, an Edmonton native, has 18 points in 47 games with the Wolf Pack this season. He was drafted in the second round of the 2019 draft by the Rangers. Should he crack the club’s lineup, he would make his NHL debut.

The Rangers enter play Wednesday with a 29-25-4 record and sit fourth in the Eastern Conference wild-card race — two points behind the Columbus Blue Jackets for the final playoff spot.