New York Rangers goalie Henrik Lundqvist will be out for at least three weeks due to a vascular injury, the team announced on Friday.
The injury occurred during last Saturday’s game against the Carolina Hurricanes. In the second period of last Saturday’s game Lundqvist was hit in the throat by a shot. He received treatment on the ice and stayed in the game, but felt light-headed and had headaches for the rest of the game, according to NHL.com. Lundqvist made 31 saves in last Saturday’s game. Despite the injury he played on Monday, but sat out Wednesday’s game.
"Henrik Lundqvist suffered a vascular injury on Saturday,” the Rangers said in a statement. "We have been conferring with leading medical experts to ensure the best possible care. Henrik will remain sidelined at least three weeks, until he is re-evaluated and we have completed the process of conferring with the medical experts."
Lundqvist would miss 12 games if he’s out for just three weeks. In his last 20 games Lundqvist is 16-4-0 with a 1.82 goals-against average. He is 25-11-3 with three shutouts this season, according to the New York Times. Lundqvist is the Rangers leader in wins with 334.
Cam Talbot will fill in for Lunqvist while he is out. This season Talbot is 5-4-1 with a 2.14 goals-against average and three shutouts. The Rangers have recalled Mackenzie Skapski from the American Hockey League to be Talbot’s backup.
The Rangers are currently 30-15-4 and have won 19 of their last 24 games. They play the Nashville Predators on Saturday.