The New York Rangers have been dealt a serious blow before the puck drops on their second-round playoff series versus the Washington Capitals Thursday night.
Mats Zuccarello, the New York Post reports, will not be available for the entirety of Round 2. Further, should the Rangers advance to the Eastern Conference final or the Stanley Cup Final, the forward’s participation will be in doubt.
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The 27-year-old Zuccarello was hit with a Ryan McDonagh slap shot in Game 5 of the Rangers’ opening-round series versus Pittsburgh and is suspected to have suffered a concussion as a result.
After being struck with the puck, the top-line right wing skated off to the bench on his own power. He spent one night in hospital over the weekend, according to the Post.
Zuccarello had two assists in the Penguins series prior to his injury. He scored 15 goals and added 34 assists during the regular season. During the Rangers’ run to the 2014 Cup Final, Zuccarello contributed 13 points and was a plus-7 player.
Veteran Martin St. Louis, who registered one assist in Round 1, assumes Zuccarello’s spot on the Rangers’ first line.
In other Rangers injury news, defencemen Kevin Klein and Keith Yandle both appear good to go for Game 1 Thursday night.
