Breaking news: Igor is back and COVID hits the Rangers

On Saturday, the New York Rangers took Igor Shesterkin off Injured Reserve meaning he could be back in action as soon as Wednesday versus Montreal.  They returned Keith Kinkaid to the Hartford Wolf Pack.

He has been skating for over a week and was taking shots in practice on Friday.

Shesterkin was injured on December 3 and has missed eight games.  If he doesn’t play on Wednesday, he would have to wait until Monday, December 27 in a game against Detroit.

The Detroit game kicks off a  busy stretch with eight games in 15 days  but only one set of back-to-back games. Based on his play recently, the Rangers should have no qualms about using Alexandar Georgiev  in a few of those games.

Nemeth in the COVID protocol

The Rangers have been skating on thin ice all season when it comes to COVID.  They’ve had only two players Ryan Strome and Greg McKegg enter the COVID protocol and played teams who were hit by the pandemic right after games with the Blueshirts.  A third Ranger entered the COVID protocol Saturday when the team announced that Patrik Nemeth is on the list.

It comes at a good time for the team since they play only once in the next nine days.  Ranger fans may get a chance to see a third defense pairing of Nils Lundkvist and Libor Hajek on Wednesday against the Montreal Canadiens. It’s a pairing that some have been looking forward to.

Nemeth has to miss ten days in quarantine, but the light schedule means it’s just the Montreal and Detroit games.

COVID did play a part in a major lineup decision when the Rangers had to give Adam Huska his first NHL start against the powerhouse Colorado Avalanche when their preferred backup, Keith Kinkaid, was on the COVID list with much of the Hartford Wolf Pack roster.  While Huska played decently, he was no match for the Avalanche and things might have been different with Kinkaid in goal.

Still, the fact that they have lost only nine man games to COVID has to be regarded as a miracle.  Compare that to the Calgary Flames who currently have 19 players out of action and the Islanders who have lost 39 man games to the pandemic.

Besides Nemeth, 19 other players were place on the COVID protocol list on Saturday, along with Maple Leafs’ coach Sheldon Keefe and Red Wings’ coach Jeff Blashill.

Enhanced protocols

To counter the most recent explosion of COVID cases, the NHL and the NHLPA announced enhanced COVID  protocols for the league.  They include restrictions on indoor dining on the road, cancellation of any team holiday parties along with increased testing including off-days as well as enhanced mask regulations.  Players and all team personnel will not be allowed to interact with fans at least until the rules are re-evaluated on January 7.

Madison Square Garden announced that all children ages 5-11 will be required to produce proof of vaccination to gain entry.