The New York Rangers have announced that Pavel Buchnevich and Dan Girardi will miss Monday’s game against the San Jose Sharks. Antti Raanta will start in goal.
New York Rangers winger Pavel Buchnevich is out tonight due to back spasms. The highly touted 23-year old will miss his first NHL game. The Rangers will need to figure out their game plan after losing a key player, as they face a talented 2-0-0 Sharks team.
#NYR Pavel Buchnevich will not play tonight due to back spasms.
— New York Rangers (@NYRangers) October 17, 2016
Buchnevich recorded one point in his first two regular-season games in the NHL and we expect more to come from this talented prospect.
The back injury to Buchnevich doesn’t seem to be serious. This is just an injury that they want to monitor for a game or two and let him rest this injury so he has a quick return.
The Rangers will also be without alternate captain, Dan Girardi. The Rangers veteran defenseman was officially confirmed as day-to-day with the hip flexor injury he suffered during the game against the St. Louis Blues Saturday night. Like Buchnevich, Girardi will be monitored on a day-to-day basis, and shouldn’t miss that much time.
#NYR Dan Girardi will not play tonight is out on a day to day basis with a groin strain.
— New York Rangers (@NYRangers) October 17, 2016
The Rangers will boost alternate captain Rick Nash into Buchnevich’s spot, put Jesper Fast in Nash’s spot, while Josh Jooris was entered into tonight’s lineup to skate on the fourth line alongside Brandon Pirri and Jesper Fast.
With Buchnevich out, #NYR has moved Rick Nash into his spot at today's morn. skate, Fast slides into Nash's place. Jooris w/ Pirri-Grabner.
— Sean Hartnett (@HartnettHockey) October 17, 2016
Ranger fans have been missing one of their top young talents, defenseman, Dylan McIlrath. He will make his season debut in place for Girardi tonight.
AV confirms @dylan_mcilrath and @JJooris86 will make their #NYR season debuts tonight against San Jose.
— New York Rangers (@NYRangers) October 17, 2016
Head Coach Alain Vigneault also announced backup goaltender Antti Raanta will make his season debut tonight in net against the Sharks. Raanta made his Rangers debut October 19, 2015, against the Sharks, a night he shut them out 4-0.
#NYR @ARaanta31 will start in net tonight @TheGarden.
— New York Rangers (@NYRangers) October 17, 2016
