The New York Rangers have been struggling over the past couple weeks and that has coincided with injuries to Derek Stepan, Kevin Klein and Dan Girardi. The team has won just two of the past 10 games and over that time both the Washington Capitals and NY Islanders have been hot, pushing by the team in the division standings.
The Rangers started off the season as hot as anyone in the league, but the team has now lost three straight and overall they have gone 2-6-2 in the last 10 games. The Rangers have dealt with injuries over the past month with Derek Stepan dealing with broken ribs and Kevin Klein dealing with an oblique injury. Stepan was originally expected to miss a little more than a month after getting injured in November, while Klein was expected to miss two to three weeks.
According to the Bergen Record, the players have started to practice and skate with the team and while return dates are not set, the Rangers are expected to have them back soon. Stepan is now listed as day-to-day and he will be a key player to get back on the ice for the Rangers. Stepan had 12 points and six goals in 23 games before getting injured and the team needs him back in the lineup to help get the offense going.
Klein said he felt good after his first practice back and while he did not take part in any contact drills, Klein was able to have a "hard skate" and he could be back within a week or two. Dan Girardi has been struggling overall this season and he is dealing with a knee injury that has him listed as "day-to-day," according to a release from the team. Girardi is not expected to play on Tuesday against the Oilers, but he could return soon after dealing with some swelling in his knee.
According to the New York Times, the Rangers have placed Jarret Stoll on waivers, as the center has been struggling for the team this season. Still only has three points in 29 games this season after signing as a free agent from the Los Angeles Kings in the offseason. The Rangers play the Oilers next and Edmonton comes in as one of the hottest teams in the league, winning six straight games, including a 7-5 victory over the Rangers on Friday. UPDATE: Jarret Stoll claimed by Wild.
