The Rangers aren’t off to quite the same ugly start as the Flyers, but, well … they’re not really far off either, and things look bleak for New York heading into Thursday night’s game in Philadelphia.
Henrik Lundqvist could miss the game tomorrow, according to the Bergen Record. (UPDATE: The Rangers announced that Lundqvist will indeed miss the game.) He hasn’t missed any games this season but has missed practice the last two days with what the team is calling a “minor issue,” and head coach Alain Vigneault said he wasn’t really sure if Lundqvist would go vs. the Flyers.
Regardless, the Rangers have given up a league-worst 4.14 goals per game so far this season, and that’s been with Lundqvist, arguably the best goalie in the league. They aren’t playing well and it really doesn’t matter who’s in net. Wouldn’t be a bad game for the Flyers to finally score some goals.
If he can’t play, Cam Talbot will make his NHL debut. Talbot doesn’t even have a dang Hockey Reference page, but has played primarily in the AHL since leaving the University of Alabama-Huntsville Chargers after the 2009-10 season. Former Flyers netminder Martin Biron was the Rangers backup until he was placed on waivers last week, and he retired from the NHL on Sunday.
Lundqvist joins a long list of Rangers with injury concerns. Ryan Callahan has a broken thumb, Carl Hagelin has a shoulder injury and Rick Nash has a concussion. All three will miss Thursday’s game.
Shaping up to be a pretty exciting battle for the Metropolitan Division basement. Both teams have 11 goals on the year.
