The Rangers returned from their two-game road trip and day off on New Years to practice Monday. New York is preparing for their game Tuesday against Buffalo but got some good news on their injured players. While none of the three will be back in action against the Sabres, each of the trio are inching closer.
Rick Nash, out with a groin injury since December 18, this one to the other of his groin, as opposed to his original injury, skated with the team Monday, His line partner was Adam Clendening, indicating that both will not be in the lineup Tuesday. With the next game the following night versus Philly, it's highly unlikely Nash will go then as well. That leaves Saturday against Columbus, who could be trying to set a NHL record for most consecutive wins in that contest.
Coach Alain Vigneault is just waiting for Nash to tell him he is good to go and for the medical staff to clear the winger. AV could opt to be cautious with Nash, factoring in the setback he had after rushing back last time, and sit him Saturday. If that occurs, due to the upcoming bye period from January 8-12, Nash would really get a chance to fully heal and return to action January 13 against Toronto.
The other two members of the injured crew, Pavel Buchnevich and Mike Zibanejad each skated in a red non-contact jersey. Buchnevich, out since November 12, a span of 24 games due to what was first called back spasms and then the need to strengthen his core, skated an hour before practice and daily while New York was on their two-game road trip. AV indicated he is "closing in" on shedding his non-contact jersey. Like Nash, it's possible that he returns to game action Saturday, but more probable is January 13 versus Toronto.
Zibanejad, out since November 19 with a broken fibula, is the furthest away from returning to action. The original projected absence for Zib was 6-to-8 weeks. Nothing has changed with that timeframe. Prior to being sidelined, Zib tallied five goals and 10 assists in 19 games, aided by a strong start. It wouldn't surprise me if Zib ditched the non-contact jersey after the break and then returned to action January 17 against Dallas or the 19th against Toronto.
With those three still sidelined and Clendening not playing again, the lineup and combinations should be the same as Saturday. With the back-to-back game versus Philly on Wednesday, as I wrote Saturday, it wouldn't shock me if Antti Raanta plays tomorrow or against the Flyers. But, if Lundqvist has another strong game Tuesday off the back of Saturday's solid outing, he could play against Wednesday:
Update as of 5:30 pm: The Rangers promoted Nicklas Jensen from Hartford on Monday. The reason for it is unclear. It may be that someone is under the weather - as you remember Lundqvist had the flu last week - or someone is banged up (maybe Puempel who was hit hard against Colorado). In addition, its possible that the Rangers wanted an additional forward on hand to have in practice just in case a player is sidelined or maybe someone is to be replaced (Pirri possibly). Per the Rangers press release, "The 6-3, 216-pound Jensen has skated in 29 games with the Wolf Pack this season, registering 14 goals and 10 assists for 24 points, along with 30 penalty minutes. Jensen leads Hartford in goals and points, and he ranks second on the team in shots on goal (94) in 2016-17."
2012 Winter Classic:
I had posted the link to the blog (http://www.hockeybuzz.com/blog.php?post_id=41012) I wrote after the game in the comments to my prior blog but here is the key highlight, as noted by Peter Botte in his column listing the top-five Winter Classic moments. I just remember all the Rangers' fans at the game trying to figure out why the call was made and thinking the NHL had pressed the screw the Rangers' button again. But Henrik Lundqvist came up big to stop Daniel Briere and preserve the win (highlight also posted by Full Tilt Rangers).
New York Rangers Blogger • 
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