New York Rangers goalie Henrik Lundqvist last played on Feb. 2 (Adam Hunger, USA TODAY Sports)
Some big names are coming back into the lineup today:
Henrik Lundqvist, New York Rangers
Did they miss him? Yes, in the sense that he’s so big for the team. But they survived quite well after Lundqvist suffered a vascular injury when hit by a puck on Jan. 31 (he played one more game).
That’s because Cam Talbot went 16-4-3 with a 2.16 goals-against average with Lundqvist out.
But assuming Lundqvist has no setback today, the net will be his down the stretch – as it should be.
Will go red tomorrow.. #Gordon http://t.co/hx5N37KBZW pic.twitter.com/c10SOCAAQU
— Henrik Lundqvist (@HLundqvist30) March 27, 2015
Kevin Shattenkirk, St. Louis Blues
Did they miss him? They did on the power play. The defenseman was the league leader with 24 power-play points at the time of his Feb. 1 abdominal injury. He’s still tied for the team lead in that category. The Blues’ power play was clicking at 24.4% with him in the lineup and 18.0% without him.
But the Blues have tremendous depth on defense, led by Alex Pietrangelo (eight points in his last 10 games) and they went 13-8-3 with him out. Defenseman Carl Gunnarsson is also returning today.
Evgeni Malkin, Pittsburgh Penguins
Did they miss him? Most definitely. They are on a 1-4-1 slide.
The Penguins through the years have had stretches without Malkin or Sidney Crosby and also without both. But they’re more effective when both are in the lineup.
Patric Hornqvist also is returning today.
Your games tonight
Nashville at Washington, 12:30
N.Y. Rangers at Boston, 1
Anaheim at N.Y. Islanders, 1
San Jose at Philadelphia, 1
Arizona at Pittsburgh, 1
Tampa Bay at Detroit, 2
Ottawa at Toronto, 7
Florida at Montreal, 7
New Jersey at Carolina, 7
Columbus at St. Louis, 8
Los Angeles at Minnesota, 8
Buffalo at Colorado, 9
Dallas at Vancouver, 10
Follow the rest of USA TODAY Sports’ in-depth NHL coverage at nhl.usatoday.com. Follow Mike Brehm on Twitter @ByMikeBrehm
