Mika Zibanejad, New York Rangers
(Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images)

New York Rangers center Mika Zibanejad is out of Tuesday’s lineup and will be replaced by David Desharnais.

New York Rangers center Mika Zibanejad will miss the game against the Winnipeg Jets due to the flu. David Desharnais will suit up and center Chris Kreider and Pavel Buchnevich, per Justin Tasch of the New York Daily News.

Desharnais has been in and out of the lineup since the trade deadline passed on Feb.26. As an unrestricted free agent and with the Rangers in rebuilding mode, it was surprising that he wasn’t moved along with Nick Holden, Ryan McDonagh, Michael Grabner, and Rick Nash.

Shattenkirk is back

At Tuesday’s morning skate, Kevin Shattenkirk was on the ice and not wearing a non-contact red jersey. Shattenkirk has been on the mend after having a procedure done to repair a torn meniscus he suffered earlier in the season. He attempted to skate with the pain, but as time passed he felt it was necessary to have the procedure done in late January rather than wait until the end of the season.

Hank gets start tonight

Henrik Lundqvist will get the start for the Rangers tonight. This will be the Kings 56th start of the season, with a 25-21-5 record and a .916 save percentage.

Henrik spoke after Tuesday’s morning skate and said “it feels like a new group in a big way here,” as he spoke about the new faces in the lineup.

The Rangers still have an outside shot to make the 2018 Stanley Cup Playoffs, even with their poor play this season.

With 66 points, the Blueshirts need to leapfrog four teams that are ahead of them in the standings. Columbus currently holds the second wild-card spot followed by Carolina, Florida and the New York Islanders.

The Rangers have 16 games remaining in the season and every point is huge right now for the team.

Essentially, the playoffs have already begun.

A graduate of St. John's University class of '91. I have been a fan of the New York Rangers since the days of Peter Puck. Founder of Ranger Proud, the Facebook page that covers all news, notes, pre /post-game stats, and player quotes. I can be reached at Nyrfc12@gmail.com