No time table has been set for the King’s return
It’s been a over a month since Rangers fans last saw Henrik Lundqvist‘s number 30 on the ice. That was due to a injury suffered in a game, taking a slapshot to the throat area against the Carolina Hurricanes in late January.
Since then, even though Lundqvist played the next game against the Florida Panthers on February 2nd, he’s been sidelined for 16 games leading into Tuesday’s game against the rival New York Islanders.
Per Andrew Gross’ twitter, @AGrossRecord, he revealed that Lundqvist would not be traveling with the team this week as they visit the Washington Capitals and Buffalo Sabres on Wednesday and Saturday, after their Metropolitan tilt with the Islanders tomorrow:
No update on Henrik Lundqvist as to when he might return. Lundqvist again skated this morning. Will not travel to NYI/WASH/BUF
— Andrew Gross (@AGrossNewsday) March 9, 2015
Mr. Gross also mentions that there is no update as to Lundqvist’s return to the team.
And that appears to be the mystery.
When will the King return to his place on the ice? When will Rangers fans be able to once again place their eyes on the number 30 jersey during warm-ups? When will the Garden faithful be able to chant “HEN-RIK, HEN-RIK, HEN-RIK” after one of his highlight saves again?
Eyes On Isles
The answer is: there is no answer.
However, there has been a bit of good news. On March 6th, an article posted on kansascity.com by Ira Podell had this quote from the King:
"“I feel physically in good shape. I am waiting for the doctors…I know we’re moving in the right direction, but we haven’t set any date…Until then I am just going to focus on staying in shape and working on the ice. If I was unable to skate, it would have been a bigger issue because it would take me a much longer time to get game ready. “Now I can skate, I can stay in shape and work hard. It’s just the contact part I have to cut out.”"
Also, Lundqvist has been seen taking low shots in practice. On his official twitter account, @Hlundqvist30, a video was posted with him and a Rangers coach, possibly mentor Benoit Allaire, going through mobility drills, while taking wrist shots to his knee pads:
Another day of quick feet workout. REALLY miss playing.. patience is key right now. pic.twitter.com/k5bLMA5Eue
— Henrik Lundqvist (@HLundqvist) March 6, 2015
Unfortunately, there is no set time for Lundqvist’s return. He is close, though. It all hinges on the doctors’ ok. Once he gets the green light, it’ll be game on. And at the right time. With the team playing their best hockey recently, and not skipping a beat with Cam Talbot in net, the Rangers appear to be primed and set for another deep playoff run.
And with a rested King back in net, whenever that may be, Rangers fans have reason to smile.
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