Lundqvist Not Rushing Return
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Scott Levy/NHLI via Getty Images(NEW YORK) — New York Rangers goaltender Henrik Lundqvist has resumed practicing with the team, but says he will not rush his way into the starting lineup.
“I want to take the first week and skate with the guys and get more speed, and then we’ll take it from there,” Lundqvist said. “I don’t want to rush back.”
Lundqvist has been out since Feb. 2 with a damaged blood vessel in his neck. On Wednesday morning he took high shots with Rangers coaches. He will be a full participant in practice for the first time on Friday.
Cam Talbot has taken over since Lundqvist has been out. During that time, the Rangers have gone 15-2-3.
Lundqvist, the former Vezina Trophy winner, started 39 games before the injury, posting a 25-11-3 record, .922 save-percentage, and a 2.25 goals-against average.
The Rangers only have 13 regular-season games remaining, but head coach Alain Vigneault isn’t worried that his start goalie will get enough ice time before the playoffs.
“I think if he plays two, three, four, five games, he’ll be fine,” Vigneault said. “In training camp, it only takes him a couple, and he’s good to go. Yes, he’s been out, but he’s been active. So I don’t expect this to be a long time for him to tell me he’s good to go.”
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