The New York Rangers are expecting to get back Henrik Lundqvist and Rick Nash this weekend after both players were sidelined with injuries. Lundqvist has made progress from neck spasms and should start on Saturday, and Nash could also be in the lineup for the first time since January.
Lundqvist has missed three straight games for the Rangers after suffering the injury last week. He had a collision with Ryan McDonagh in the game against the Pittsburgh Penguins, which forced him to leave with the injury. Antti Raanta has started in place of Lundqvist and has performed well, but it appears as though the goalie is ready to come back.
"I feel a lot better; every day has been a good step in the right direction," Lundqvist said. "The plan is for me to be ready for the weekend."
Coach Alain Vigneault said that Lundqvist is "on track" to return against the Detroit Red Wings on Saturday. Lundqvist has put up strong numbers for the team this season, going 31-17-4 with a .923 save percentage and a 2.31 goals against average. His return looks almost certain at this point; the team sent goalie Magnus Hellberg to the AHL after he served as the backup to Raanta with Lundqvist out.
Vigneault also gave an update on Nash, saying that the forward has been making progress and has been able to participate in practice with the team. Nash is listed as "day-to-day" with a leg injury, but he could be back in the lineup on Saturday, as well. Nash was originally injured against the Carolina Panthers on Jan. 22.
"That's the hardest I've gone so far," Nash said. "If everything is clear, we'll try to get a few more practices and hopefully get back into games. It's tough not being around the guys."
The Rangers have not suffered much with Lundqvist and Nash out of the lineup. New York has gone 2-1 with Raanta in net over the last three games, and the team went 13-6-1 for a stretch with Nash out. Lundqvist was able to get in a full practice this week before the Rangers played the Buffalo Sabres, and he should now be ready to start on Saturday.
The Rangers are currently in second place in the Metropolitan Division behind the Washington Capitals. The team has gone 39-22-6 with 84 points this season.