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Flu sidelines McDonagh for Blackhawks - Rangers tonight

New York Rangers v New York Islanders

NEW YORK, NY - DECEMBER 06: Ryan McDonagh #27 of the New York Rangers takes the shot against the New York Islanders at the Barclays Center on December 6, 2016 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. the Islanders defeated the Rangers 4-2. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)

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While the Chicago Blackhawks get captain Jonathan Toews back in the mix on Tuesday, the New York Rangers will be without their “C” in defenseman Ryan McDonagh.

On the bright side, it sounds like McDonagh’s issue is minor: the Rangers deem it a flu.

(Let’s assume this is actually the flu and not code for some other injury.)

After warming up briefly, McDonagh and the Rangers likely came to the conclusion that it wasn’t worth it tonight. With him out of the lineup, Adam Clendening returns to the Rangers’ defense corps.

That’s not necessarily an even trade, although some have been quite happy with Clendening’s work in a depth role this season.

The Blackhawks, meanwhile, are getting healthier, so this becomes an increasingly challenging test for Antti Raanta and the Rangers. The game’s on NBCSN, by the way.