Ryan Lindgren plays, leads Rangers in ice time in home opener vs. Coyotes
Ryan Lindgren of the Rangers plays the puck during the first period against J.J. Moser of the Coyotes at Madison Square Garden on Monday. Credit: Jim McIsaac
Rangers defenseman Ryan Lindgren, who missed Saturday’s game in Columbus with what the team said was an upper-body injury, took part in the morning skate but was a game-time decision, according to coach Peter Laviolette.
Lindgren ended up not only playing in Monday night’s home opener against the Coyotes but leading the Rangers in ice time with 23 minutes and 53 seconds, including 3:23 of shorthanded time, in a scrappy 2-1 win. He took two shots on goal, landed one hit, absorbed a hit and was involved in two scrums, including a big one after the final horn in which both teams piled on each other behind the goal line.
Lindgren’s teammates marveled at how big a game he was able to play despite being somewhat compromised.
“I think he’s ‘Ironman’ and Robert Downey Jr. better be ready. [Lindgren]’s going to take his job,’’ goaltender Igor Shesterkin said.
“Watching him do what he does, knowing how he feels, usually all the time, it means something to the guys in the room, for sure,’’ Jacob Trouba said. “A guy like that changes things, changes the attitude. You watch him go out and do some of the stuff he does, feeling the way he feels, you know you’ve got to bring it. I think it raises the level of the team.’’
According to the website statmuse.com, the Rangers are 150-82-27 with Lindgren in the lineup and 29-32-10 when he does not play.
Blue notes
After inserting forward Jimmy Vesey in place of Tyler Pitlick in the lineup Saturday against Columbus, Laviolette put Pitlick back in the lineup Monday and sat Vesey.
“It’s difficult,’’ Laviolette said. “You’re talking about players who’ve been around for over 500 games, and they’re good players. We’re not making any decisions based on player evaluation. I’m making decisions right now based on the fact that I’ve got 13 forwards that I think do a good job. And I can only play 12 of them.’’
Colin Stephenson covers the Rangers for Newsday. He has spent more than two decades covering the NHL and just about every sports team in the New York metropolitan area.
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