A source “close to the New York Rangers” has told Ken Campbell of The Hockey News that the club is preparing for star goalie Henrik Lundqvist to make his return next week, on March 24.
The Rangers host the Kings that night (on NBCSN), with 10 regular-season games to go after that.
Lundqvist hasn’t played since Feb. 2 due to a vascular injury. Fortunately for the Blueshirts, backup Cam Talbot has done just fine in the No. 1’s spot, winning 13 games and, today, earning the NHL’s second star for the past week.
Of course, while the Rangers haven’t struggled for wins without Lundqvist, they’ll still want him back in time to get into a groove for the playoffs, which start Apr. 15.