The Rangers face the Kings on the tail end of a back-to-back Monday. New York defeated Detroit 1-0 in overtime on Sunday. Prior to losing to Montreal on January 14, New York had been undefeated on the second leg of back-to-backs. Following today's game, the Rangers face Philadelphia on Wednesday in their last game before the All-Star break.
Some fairly good news on the injury front.
Kevin Hayes, who was injured late in the second period, will be out 2-3 weeks with a left leg injury. No specifics in the type or where the injury is. But given the concern as to how long he might miss, 2-3 weeks, which is anywhere from probably 5-8 games, isn't horrible news. If that timeline is accurate, it's unlikely he tore anything requiring surgery, so it may just be a sprain.
Antti Raanta was on the ice today. He was projected to miss 7-10 days with his lower body injury suffered January 14. Raanta likely should be back when the Rangers resume play on January 31.
Marc Staal skated today and AV said at 5pm that if New York was practicing tomorrow, he would have practiced. With a game Wednesday and no practice tomorrow, Staal is likely out against Philly. But he should be ready to return to the lineup on January 31. Now who he replaces is a discussion for another day.
Matt Puempel returns to the lineup replacing Hayes. Puempel is over his second concussion in a span of three weeks and slides onto the fourth line. Jimmy Vesey moves up to the third line while J.T. Miller shifts from wing to center than line.
Lines today:
Kreider-Stepan-Zucc Nash-Zib-Buch Grabner-Miller-Vesey Puempel-Lindberg-Pirri
McDonagh-Girardi Holden-Klein Skjei-Clendening
Lundqvist