New York Rangers defenseman Ryan Lindgren leaves game with upper-body injury

New York Rangers defenseman Ryan Lindgren left Saturday’s game against the Washington Capitals with an upper-body injury and will not return according to Emily Kaplan of ESPN.

The incident occurred midway through the first period when Capitals forward T.J. Oshie hit Lindgren awkwardly causing him to slam hard against the boards. He was able to get up on his own but was holding his left shoulder as it appeared to be dangling. There was no call on the play. Lindgren logged 3:00 of ice time and had one shot block. After the ensuing faceoff, Oshie dropped the gloves with Rangers’ Barclay Goodrow to settle the difference.

Lindgren has totalled a career-high 17 points (one goal, 16 assists) 64 hits and 86 shot blocks in 56 games this season with an average time on ice of 19:12. The Burnsville, Minnesota product has been playing top minutes alongside Rangers’ blueline prodigy Adam Fox. He is currently in year two of a three-year $9 million extension he signed in 2021; the contract has an average annual value of $3 million. Throughout his 250-game career, he has recorded seven goals and 55 assists for 62 points.

The Rangers did dress Ben Harpur for today’s matinee game, meaning they do have seven defensemen available and can operate the blueline without a man down. Harpur has four points (one goal, three assists) in 22 games this season. 

The Rangers sit third in the Metropolitan Division with a record o 33-16-9 and a points percentage of .647%. They trail the New Jersey Devils and the Carolina Hurricanes.