After a full-team morning skate at Madison Square Garden on Tuesday, it seems quite likely that the Rangers will receive a boost to their lineup for this evening's contest against the Nashville Predators.
Both Brandon Dubinsky and Ruslan Fedotenko---who have been out hurt---skated with their teammates Tuesday morning, and both indicated afterwards that they should be able to play against the Preds. Dubinksy has missed three games with a sore shoulder after absorbing a hard hit from Coyotes forward Taylor Pyatt last Tuesday, while Fedotenko sat out Sunday's 4-1 loss in Montreal due to back spasms and pain.
"It's been pretty sore, but from what I was told there was nothing structurally damaging, it's just been pretty painfiul," Dubinsky said of his shoulder. "It was unfortunate that we played three games in four nights is what it comes down to. I could have very well just missed one game if we would have had a break (in the schedule). Bottom line is it's feeling better."
As for how much pain he will be forced to play through this evening, Dubinsky was not too concerned.
"Sure there's pain, we all have to play through that," said Dubinsky, who skated and worked out Monday during the team's off-day. "There's always aches and pains when you're (43) games into the season. It's not just me. Plenty of guys will be playing through a little bit of pain. But the good news (for me) is that is is bearable."
Fedotenko said his back felt "much better" on Tuesday and his plan was to be able to play against the Predators, though he also said that his status could not be finalized until later in the afternoon.
The veteran forward said he does not know how he hurt his back, only that the pain first occurred while killing a penalty during Saturday's 3-0 win over the Maple Leafs in Toronto. Fedotenko said he still did not feel all that great Monday, but that his back "loosened up" on Tuesday and was in better shape.
Rangers head coach John Tortorella said Tuesday morning that if both forwards could return to the lineup then Wojtek Wolski would be scratched.
In other news from the morning skate, Tortorella confirmed that Henrik Lundqvist will start in goal for the Blueshirts, while Barry Trotz said that back-up Anders Lindback would get the start in goal for Nashville. Also, Trotz confirmed that defenseman Ryan Suter would be out of the lineup Tuesday for the Preds.
Share your thoughts below on the possibility that both Dubinsky and Fedotenko could be back in the lineup on Tuesday.
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