Update as of 4:15PM Friday:
In my original blog below, I listed the injured Rangers noting what could happen if each return to practice and could go tomorrow as well as what happens if they remain sidelined. Friday morning, we got some clarity but also had one new situation pop up that could result in some remaining flux. The really good news is that even if one player is sidelined Saturday, it's possible by Sunday that the Rangers have their full compliment of players.
Friday morning, Henrik Lundqvist, sidelined the last three games with neck spasms, and Rick Nash, out since January 22 with a bone bruise on his left leg, practiced fully. In addition, Marc Staal, who has been dealing with dehydration and back spasms and also missed Tuesday's game against Buffalo, was able to go Friday as was Jesper Fast, despite being hobbled since late Tuesday night. Of course, it wouldn't be the Rangers of late if not everyone was back. The flu bug that has circled the squad the past few weeks claimed a new victim in Derick Brassard. As of now, if Brassard feels better, he will fly out on his own tonight or tomorrow AM to Detroit to play. If not, he could play Sunday unless the illness lingers.
With Brassard out and Nash back, Eric Staal moved up to the second line center with Viktor Stalberg coming up with him to play with Nash, creating a big, physical line that can drive possession. Chris Kreider was dropped to the third line, which may be where he best fits, alongside Kevin Hayes, shifted back to the pivot, and Jesper Fast, down from his top-six role. If Brassard can play, he may slide in for Derek Stepan on the top line or possibly replace Staal in the middle with Staal either to wing on this line or center the third line with Hayes sliding back to wing. If Brassard relaxes Stepan, then Stepan would move to the third line with Hayes sliding to wing and Fast probably dropping to the fourth line in place of Oscar Lindberg or Tanner Glass. Expect lots of moving pieces until the lines get settled, which may not be for a few weeks as AV experiments with combinations.
Assuming Marc Staal has no setbacks, he will be back on the third pairing. If he can't go, Brady Skjei will fly out to Detroit to fill in for him again. Lundqvist should be between the pipes and as I noted originally, it remains to be seen if he will also go Sunday.
Miller-Stepan-Zuccarello Nash-E. Staal-Stalberg Kreider-Hayes-Fast Lindberg-Moore-Glass
McDonagh-Girardi Yandle-Klein M. Staal-Boyle
Lundqvist
Raanta
I will get a recap blog up Saturday night or before Sunday's game against Pittsburgh.
Original Blog:
The Rangers begin a rough part of their schedule Saturday in Detroit. After the 2pm matinee, New York will travel home for a 12:30 contest against the Penguins. Following that game, the Rangers travel out West for their annual three-game California trip, highlighted by back-to-back games against Anaheim and Los Angeles on Wednesday and Thursday and ending with a game Saturday versus San Jose.
The good news is that the band is close to getting back together. Rick Nash, sidelined for 20 games, during which New York has gone 13-6-1, skated hard on Thursday during the team's optional skate. If he has no setbacks and is able to practice Friday, Nash could be in the lineup Saturday. If not, it's still possible he plays Sunday versus Pittsburgh.
Henrik Lundqvist, who has missed the last three games with neck spasms resulting from his collision last week with Ryan McDonagh against Pittsburgh, faced shots Thursday at the optional practice. The expectation is he will be a full participant at Friday's practice in preparation to play this weekend. It remains to be seen if that will occur Saturday or Saturday or if coach Alain Vigneault goes with Lundqvist in both games because he is fresh after missing the last three games. The argument against that is that Antti Raanta has played well while Hank was out so there is no reason to push Lundqvist to play in both contests. In addition, New York has four back-to-backs on their remaining schedule, which could result in Lundqvist playing in both ends down the road if needed, so why push it now with him just coming back.
There are two other roster questions, in terms of active or out injured, not line combinations. Jesper Fast, who already has dealt with a broken nose and other issues, seemed to have slightly injured his leg just before the end of Tuesday's game. He reportedly was limping Thursday. Given what we have seen from Fast this year and his ability/willingness to play hurt, you would expect him to play Saturday. If he is unable to go, Nash, if he is in, just replaces him in the lineup with no other scratch needed. If Fast can't go and Nash also is out, then Marek Hrivik could get called up, sliding into the fourth line with the rest of the trios jumbled. The likelihood is that the Staalbergs line remains intact and Hrivik may just replace Fast, as there styles of play are somewhat similar.
On the blue line, Marc Staal, who did not play Tuesday due to dehydration and back spasms, also missed practice Thursday. If he is unable to go at the mandatory practice Friday, the likelihood is that he will be out Saturday and possibly Sunday as well. Brady Skjei, who acquitted himself fairly well Tuesday then was sent to Hartford to maximize the available cap space, could get recalled. It would be wise if New York decides that early since Hartford has a game Friday and it would be silly for Skjei to play, then head to Detroit for Saturday's game and possibly up to New York to face Pittsburgh on Sunday.
I will try and post an update after Friday's practice when we should have a better sense of who is in and out.
We are hitting the stretch drive with 15 games remaining. Maybe slightly early to scoreboard watch, but getting closer to that time and I could see peaking at it more frequently than before. Locking up a berth is the first priority, then worry about seeding and first round match ups. Win the game that day and after, focus on the division, conference and next opponent.