Rangers Roundup: Ryan Lindgren back, Patrick Kane settled in, and more

Ryan Lindgren
Jan 8, 2022; Anaheim, California, USA; New York Rangers defenseman Ryan Lindgren (55) is congratulated at the bench after scoring an empty net goal in the third period against the Anaheim Ducks at Honda Center. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports

The New York Rangers will be getting back a key player to their lineup in Ryan Lindgren for Wednesday night. After another practice, the defenseman is cleared for action when the Blueshirts take on the Tampa Bay Lightning.

“He’s back, perfect,” Gerard Gallant smiled. “He’s a competitive guy and works hard every shift. We all saw how he played in the playoffs last year and that’s what excites us.”

How to Watch the New York Rangers in 2023

Ryan Lindgren back

Lindgren, 25, has 17 points in 58 games this season. He previously missed 11 games with a shoulder injury that occurred against the Washington Capitals on February 25. He tweaked it on March 21 in a contest against the Carolina Hurricanes forcing him out of action another 6 matches.

His return to the lineup will restore the Rangers blue-line to it’s configuration for the playoffs.

The Rangers will be playing their final back-to-back set with the Lightning on Wednesday and then traveling to take on the St. Louis Blues this Thursday.

According to Gallant, the plan is to have him play both games.

Patrick Kane settled in

NHL: New York Rangers at Buffalo Sabres
Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Sports

The Rangers gave Patrick Kane a maintenance day so that the 34 year-old can rest up his body for the playoffs which start in two weeks.

In an exclusive sit down interview with Dan Rosen of NHL.com, the second all-time leading scorer among American born players says he’s feeling settled and ready to win another Cup.

“You come up, you’re young and you have so much success to start and then all of a sudden the last six or seven years we were just fighting it and trying to find a way just to get back into the playoffs. So, now, this is a great opportunity, a great chance to come into a new team and just to get that winning feeling again would be amazing. Even here in the regular season, it’s just such a breath of fresh air from grinding every day to just win a game to get that good feeling. It’s something I’m not taking for granted.”

Patrick Kane via NHL.com

This season, Kane has registered 55 points in 70 games mostly with the struggling Chicago Blackhawks. Since joining the Rangers, he’s recored 5 goals and 10 points in 16 contests.

Gerard Gallant sets franchise record

When the Rangers picked up the win over the Capitals on Sunday, it was their 100th and 101st points on the season.

That makes Gerard Gallant the first Rangers coach in history to accomplish the feat in his first two seasons behind the bench.

Alain Vigneault recorded three consecutive 100 point seasons between 2014/15 through 2016/17. However, his first year with the team in 2013-14 was four points shy (96). That squad did go to the Stanley Cup Final, falling to the Los Angeles Kings in 5 games.

Emile Francis is the only other Rangers coach to register three straight 100 point seasons from 1970/71 through 1972/73.

Anthony Scultore is the founder of Forever Blueshirts and has been covering the New York Rangers and the NHL... More about Anthony Scultore

Mentioned in this article::

More About: