The New York Rangers are expecting to get back goalie Henrik Lundqvist and forward Rick Nash over the next week after both players sat out with injuries. Nash has returned to practice with the team for the first time in two months, while Lundqvist has made progress after suffering a neck injury last week.
Nash and Lundqvist will not be healthy enough to play on Tuesday when the Rangers take on the Buffalo Sabres, but both are close to returns to the starting lineup. Nash has been out for an extended period with a bone bruise, but he has made significant progress over the past week. He was able to skate in practice with the team and said that he could be healthy enough to play this weekend.
Nash has been out since Jan. 22 with the injury, which was expected to be a "day-to-day" issue, but ended up being more week-to-week for the Rangers. Now things have flipped once again. Coach Alain Vigneault said that Nash "went from week-to-week now to day-to-day." He has slowly been adding more workouts in practice since returning to the team, including cutting, taking shots, and making breaks towards the net.
"It was something that you're definitely kind of nervous to see how it's going to feel," Nash said. "It felt good. It was a positive day for sure."
Lundqvist has been out while dealing with neck spasms after a collision with Ryan McDonagh last week against the Pittsburgh Penguins. Lundqvist was frustrated during the game, as the officials did not call a stoppage for an injury. After the collision, he flipped his own net to get a stoppage, resulting in a penalty for the Rangers. The 34-year-old has been replaced by Antti Raanta, who has played well with Lundqvist out.
"I really expected a whistle," Lundqvist said. "I don't know how I came up with that conclusion to push the net, but that's where it came up in my head. I'm not going to apologize for it because I was just not in the position where I could play the game."
Raanta started against the Washington Capitals and won that game, but he lost against the New York Islanders on Sunday. The Rangers recalled Magnus Hellberg to back up Raanta while Lundqvist was out. Lundqvist is hoping that he can return this weekend for the Rangers. Nash is hoping for the same as well. The winger was in a no-contact jersey in practice, but he was able to skate without any pain. Nash has 12 goals and 33 points in 45 games this season.
