Injured Rangers centre Stepan out for up to six weeks

Rangers coach Alain Vigneault told reporters that he didn’t expect to recall anyone immediately following the announcement of Stepan’s timeframe for return.

Stepan has registered six goals and six assists for the Rangers so far this season. As Larry Brooks of the New York Post notes, there are complications related to the team potentially placing him on long-term injured reserve.

With a need for depth at the forward position, the Rangers have recalled Jayson Megna from the AHL.

The last time they lost four in a row in any fashion was December of 2012 (0-3-1), and the last time they lost four in a row in regulation was February of 2011.

The Rangers thought it was a late hit, while Beleseky said Stepan didn’t brace himself. The puck is already off of Stepan’s stick when Beleskey throws his shoulder out to catch the Rangers forward off guard.

At first, Kevin Hayes, who had been tried on the right wing on that line (along with J.T. Miller and Jesper Fast earlier) moved back to the middle, with Kreider on the left and Emerson Etem, a frequent scratch, elevated to that line’s right side. Dan Boyle also replaces Dylan McIlrath in the lineup.

“I think it’s pretty obvious what I said”.

The team announced that there will be no call up at the moment, though with the Rangers in NY for the next four games, including Monday against the Hurricanes, Vigneault did not rule out the possibility of a call up from Hartford.