Rangers recall Magnus Hellberg after Henrik Lundqvist injury

Watch as Henrik Lundqvist takes a stick in the mask from Marc Staal momentarily injuring his right eye and then lets in the first shot he faces.

The New York Rangers have recalled AHL goalie Magnus Hellberg, the team announced Thursday.

The move comes a day after the club’s starting goaltender, Henrik Lundqvist, left Game 1 of the Rangers’ first round series against the the Pittsburgh Penguins with an apparent eye injury.

In the final minute of the first period, Lundqvist took teammate Marc Staal‘s stick to the mask. He remained in net to finish the period, letting in the first shot following the incident. He did not return for the second, as backup Antti Raanta took the crease in his place. (See the play at the top of this post.)

The Rangers lost the game 5-2.

Hellberg, 25, has appeared in just one NHL game this season, suiting up for New York against the Washington Capitals on Dec. 20.

The six-foot-six Swedish goaltender has a 30-20-3 record, a 2.40 goals against average, a .918 save percentage with the Rangers’ AHL affiliate, the Hartford Wolf Pack, and ranks third in league wins, appearances and saves.

Game 2 of the first round series between the Rangers and Penguins will be played Saturday afternoon at 3 p.m. ET in Pittsburgh.

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