The Rangers will be shorthanded upon opening their opening-round playoff series against Washington on Thursday.
The Blueshirts will be without the services of Marc Staal, Brian Boyle, Ryane Clowe and Derek Dorsett tonight, according to NHL.com’s Dan Rosen.
Staal, Boyle and Dorsett all skated Thursday morning while Clowe stayed off the ice -- though he did travel to Washington with the club.
As for where each guy is at, health-wise...
Clowe: Missed the final game of the regular season -- a 4-0 win over New Jersey -- after hurting what first appeared to be his leg against Carolina.
The New York Daily News later reported Clowe might’ve actually suffered a concussion after taking a Bobby Sanguinetti elbow to the face.
Boyle: Missed the final six games of the regular season with a right leg injury, stemming from a hit by Philly blueliner Luke Schenn on April 16.
His participation in practice today was the first time he’s skated with teammates since suffering the injury.
Staal: Out since Mar. 5 with an eye injury. Closer to returning than ever before, but still hesitant given he’s still experiencing slightly blurred vision.
“As soon as I’m not second-guessing myself or hesitating and doing things I normally do become automatic is when I can jump into a playoff-type game,” he told the Daily News. “You go out there in a playoff game and you’re thinking too much, you’re going to get yourself in trouble and the team.”
Dorsett: Out since early March after breaking his collarbone, the former Blue Jacket sounds as though he’s preparing to return to game action and make his Rangers debut at some point during opening round.
“You can’t predict,” he explained. “But if everything keeps going the way it has and there are no setbacks, I hope to be ready sometime during this series.”