The New York Rangers head to Ottawa to face the Senators this afternoon as Pavel Buchnevich is set to return to the lineup.
- New York Rangers (27-6-5, 59 Pts.)
- Ottawa Senators (20-27-9, 49 Pts.)
- Television: MSG Network
- Venue: Canadian Tire Centre, Ottawa, Canada
The New York Rangers had a lot going on Friday as they prepare to take on the Senators. It was a mixed bag, as always, of good and bad news.
The Rangers plan on having Pavel Buchnevich in the lineup for this afternoon’s game. He participated in practice Friday, with full contact, and had no issues regarding his concussion injury.
More good news as Marc Staal skated with the team for the first time since he was injured in a game against the Nashville Predators last month. He is out with what has been diagnosed as a cervical injury. Stall told reporters “I felt good today” following Friday’s practice.
“I felt good today.” #NYR defenseman Marc Staal on getting back on the ice with his teammates at today's practice. pic.twitter.com/qvJE2ORHHj
— New York Rangers (@NYRangers) February 16, 2018
Kevin Hayes and Alexander Georgiev were both not on the ice for practice on Friday. Hayes was listed as out for a maintenance day and Georgiev has the flu. Forward Vinni Lettieri was sent down to the AHL Hartford Wolf Pack.
OFFICIAL: Hayes (maintenance) and Georgiev (flu) are not practicing.
Lettieri was assigned to @WolfPackAHL.
— New York Rangers (@NYRangers) February 16, 2018
Lettieri was sent down to make room for the needed goaltender recall as was explained by Larry Brooks on his Twitter page. Lettieri is the only player that can go down that would not have to clear waivers. Simply, he was a victim of the numbers game regarding the 23-man roster.
Vigneault explained that need to recall goaltender and compliance with 23-player roster max forced team to send Lettieri to Hartford…only F who could go without needing waivers. Not everything the coach does is wrong, by the way.
— Larry Brooks (@NYP_Brooksie) February 16, 2018
The situation with Kevin Hayes remains a mystery as Alain Vigneault reported Hayes is “less than a 50%” to play today in Ottawa.
AV said Hayes is "less than 50 percent" to play tomorrow against the Senators. https://t.co/8on6Omhm18
— New York Rangers (@NYRangers) February 16, 2018
Georgiev’s illness could not have come at a worse time as he was slated to start for the Rangers this afternoon in Ottawa.
AV said the plan for for Georgiev to make his NHL debut tomorrow in Ottawa, but came down with an illness. #NYR
— Matt Calamia (@MattCalamia) February 16, 2018
The Rangers called up goaltender Brandon Halverson from the AHL Hartford Wolf Pack to backup Henrik Lundqvist this weekend. Lundqvist will now likely play in both weekend games.
OFFICIAL #NYR TRANSACTION: The Rangers have recalled goaltender Brandon Halverson from @WolfPackAHL. pic.twitter.com/a0ra0h5m4P
— New York Rangers (@NYRangers) February 16, 2018
- Read my story on ESNY about how happy Chris Kreider was to get back on this ice with the team earlier this week.
- Blueshirt Banter’s Mike Murphy talks about the three games that John Gilmour and Neal Pionk have played in.
- Neal Purcell of ESNY talks about how the Rangers have entered into unchartered territory.
