The Rangers, who already received discouraging news Friday morning when Filip Chytil suffered a setback in his bid to return from a suspected concussion, also lost defenseman Ryan Lindgren to an undisclosed upper-body injury in the first period of their 5-2 loss to the Golden Knights at the Garden.
“It just taxes the ‘D’ a little bit. And it’s tough to lose that player, that type of player,” Peter Laviolette said after the game. “I think it’s tough, and then when you get into that rotation of five [defensemen], you’re getting into double-shifting.
“It was probably five minutes into the game, and we’re down to five, and then for two and three-quarter periods, you’re double-shifting a lot of defensemen for a lot of minutes. And they’re a big, strong team that skates.”
Lindgren and longtime blue-line partner Adam Fox were split up to start the game, with Lindgren moved to a duo alongside Braden Schneider.
But the Rangers had to alternate five defensemen after Lindgren went off eight minutes into the first period after he was checked into the boards by Keegan Kolesar.
Nick Bonino will still get to enjoy his All-Star break before reporting to the minor leagues for the first time in more than decade.
The veteran center cleared waivers Friday and was assigned by the Rangers to AHL Hartford, although the organization isn’t requiring the 35-year-old Bonino to report immediately to the Wolf Pack, according to a source.
The 15-year NHL vet, who signed a one-year deal worth $800,000 with the Rangers in July, hasn’t appeared in a minor-league game since the 2011-12 season.
The NHL All-Star break begins for the Rangers following Saturday’s game in Ottawa.
Kaapo Kakko scored with Igor Shesterkin pulled with 1:05 remaining to draw the Rangers within 4-2, only his fourth goal in 27 games this season.
“I actually thought that Kaapo played a strong game last game, and I thought he was noticeable to me in San Jose, and maybe a goal does give a bounce to him,” Laviolette said.
Center Jake Leschyshyn was recalled earlier this week from Hartford, but he was a healthy scratch for Friday’s game.
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