New York Rangers forward Cody McLeod fractured his hand against the New York Islanders and will be out of action 4-6 weeks.
New York Rangers veteran Cody McLeod broke his hand in Wednesday’s 5-0 win over the New York Islanders and will be sidelined 4-6 weeks.
#NYR update: Cody McLeod – fractured hand.
Staal, Mika, and Namestnikov – maintenance.
— New York Rangers (@NYRangers) November 22, 2018
McLeod’s injury is unfortunate, as he did everything possible not to engage in a fight with New York Islanders Ross Johnston in the second period Wednesday night. McLeod threw a massive hit on Johnston, who tried to bait McLeod into a fight.
McLeod was able to get away from Johnston, but at the next whistle Johnston skated up to McLeod and initiated a fight. Though McLeod tried to avoid the second confrontation, he wound up engaging and fractured his hand in the ensuing altercation.
Ross Johnston lands a HUGE hit on McLeod #isles pic.twitter.com/3EZcaAXmV7
— Eyes on Isles (@eyesonislesFS) November 22, 2018
This news on McLeod is discouraging, as he had just scored his first goal of the season in the first period to give the Rangers a 2-0 lead.
CODY MCLEOD SCORES HIS FIRST AS A RANGER AFTER 40 GAMES PLAYED FOR THE BLUESHIRTS!#NYR pic.twitter.com/2Mb4GN8PJw
— Hockey Daily #StickTogether (@HockeyDaily365) November 22, 2018
McLeod played on the fourth line alongside Lias Andersson and Steven Fogarty Wednesday night. The forward has played pretty consistently in the team’s lineup, adding speed, size, and scoring to the fourth line.
McLeod has become a reliable forward who always stands up for his teammates when an opposing player tries to take advantage of another Ranger on the ice.
The Rangers’ injury bug has been ongoing, with defenseman Adam McQuaid and forward Mats Zuccarello remaining out of the lineup the past two weeks.
The Rangers will face the Philadelphia Flyers on Friday afternoon in a nationally televised game on NBC at 1:00 p.m. in Philly. The team will then head back to New York for a Saturday matinee game against the defending Stanley Cup Champion Washington Capitals on Saturday afternoon.
Head coach David Quinn and the organization have not recalled any player from the AHL Hartford Wolf Pack yet, as the team hopes Zuccarello can return to the lineup to face the Flyers on Friday afternoon.
