New York Rangers injury update: Igor Shesterkin starts against Devils, Filip Chytil resumes skating
The New York Rangers got a double dose of good news on the injury front Thursday morning ahead of their clash against the New Jersey Devils. Igor Shesterkin will return to the lineup and start in goal for the first time since Dec. 30 after missing four games with an upper-body issue. And Filip Chytil resumed skating after sustaining an upper-body injury in a 5-4 overtime loss to the Dallas Stars on Tuesday .
Getting Shesterkin back in the cage should provide a boost to the Rangers, who were 2-1-1 in the four games he missed, largely due to an uptick in scoring. Jonathan Quick was 1-1-1 and allowed 12 goals during Shesterkin’s absence. Louis Domingue, who was returned to Hartford of the American Hockey League on Thursday, stopped 25 of 27 shots in a 6-2 win against the Chicago Blackhawks on Sunday.
The timing of Shesterkin’s return is good, considering the Rangers host the Devils in his first game back. New Jersey dominated New York in the previous two meetings this season, outscoring the Rangers 10-1. Shesterkin was in goal on Dec. 2 for a 5-1 home-ice loss, followed by a 5-0 loss in Newark with Quick in goal on Dec. 23.
“It’s huge, obviously good to have him back,” Will Cuylle said after the morning skate. “Obviously a world-class goalie so, should help us out a bit.”
Shesterkin is 11-15-1 with a 3.10 goals-against average and .906 save percentage, and has done his best behind a Rangers team that has really struggled defensively over the past two months.
Related: Rangers vs. Devils: 3 things to watch for seeking 1st win against Hudson River rivals
Filip Chytil skates, Chris Kreider remains out for Rangers
It was a good sign that Chytil skated Thursday morning. Though the exact nature of the injury remains murky, it doesn’t appear it’s another head issue, which is always the default fear when Chytil is hurt.
The 25-year-old center won’t play against the Devils and will miss his eighth game this season.
“It’s great that he’s out on the ice today,” Rangers coach Peter Laviolette said Thursday. “Right now it’s just resting his upper body, but for me, that’s progression. Out on the ice, that’s a good thing.”
Chytil has 10 goals and 17 points in 33 games this season, but really come alive over his past five games, scoring four goals and an assist in that span. The Rangers are hoping Chytil returns sooner rather than later and picks up where he left off.
With Chytil out of the lineup and Chris Kreider still on injured reserve with an upper-body injury, Arthur Kaliyev will make his Rangers debut, playing on the third line with Jonny Brodzinski and Brett Berard. This line has the potential to be a very offense-driven line, with Kaliyev known for his shot and scoring ability, paired with the speed and playmaking abilities of Berard and Brodzinski.
Kaliyev, 23, was claimed off waivers from the Los Angeles Kings on Monday. He hasn’t played in the NHL this season after sustaining a broken clavicle during training camp. The 2019 second-round pick played five games in the AHL on a conditioning assignment and had one goal and one assist.
Additionally, Matt Rempe will draw into the lineup for Jimmy Vesey on the fourth line, playing in his first game since Dec. 20, when he was handed an eight-game suspension for boarding and elbowing Miro Heiskanen of the Stars.
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