Injury Woes Leave Shanahan, Ranger Playoff Hopes Hurting

ERIC FAYNBERG

STAFF WRITER

Brendan Shanahan. Henrik Lundqvist. Marcel Hossa. Aaron Ward. Marek Malik. Kevin Weekes. Jaromir Jagr. What do all these New York Rangers have in common, aside from the sweater they wear? All of these players are suffering from injuries that are either hampering their performance on the ice or keeping them out of the lineup all together and this rash of injuries is doing tremendous damage to the Blueshirts’ effort to make the NHL Playoffs.

The worst of these injuries and the one that has perhaps the most negative impact on the Rangers’ season, is the one suffered by alternate captain Brendan Shanahan in a game against the Philadelphia Flyers on Saturday, February 17. In that game, a disastrous 5-2 loss for New York against the NHL’s worst team, Shanahan and Flyers forward and former Ranger, Mike Knuble ran into each other and collided full force, sending both players tumbling to the ice and resulting in injuries, as well as several scary moments, for all the players, coaches, fans, and family members watching.

Surprisingly, though Shanahan appeared to get the worst of it, it was Knuble who suffered the more serious injuries. Knuble fractured his orbital bone and is out for the remainder of the season. Shanahan, while suffering a concussion, appears likely to return in several weeks. However, his absence during a span in which the Rangers play several crucial games, leaves a big gap both on and off the ice for New York.

In his first season as a New York Ranger, Shanahan has become a fan favorite. Reaching the illustrious 600-goal milestone earlier in the season, the veteran has become the inspirational leader for the Rangers, despite not wearing the captain’s “C.” When Shanahan was released from the hospital the day after his injury, he made a surprise visit to Madison Square Garden, where the Rangers had another game, this time against the lowly Chicago Blackhawks.

“It was pretty inspirational to see him come when he is supposed to go right home and just rest,'' forward Matt Cullen told the Associated Press.

In their next game however, Shanahan’s leadership and scoring prowess was sorely missed, as the Rangers lost a heartbreaking game to their division rivals, the New Jersey Devils, by a score of 2-1. In a game in which the Rangers played their hearts out, but had trouble beating star Devils netminder Martin Brodeur, the Blueshirts certainly could have used Shanahan and his remarkable shot.

Shanahan, however, was not the only Ranger banged up over the last few games. Henrik Lundqvist hurt his shoulder during the Philadelphia game and though he has played well ever since, any kind of injury to him is very worrisome, as backup netminder Kevin Weekes is injured as well, straining his quad in practice several weeks ago. Even worse, Lundqvist hasn’t had a break in weeks and many are worried that the young Swede will break down soon.

Also injured in the game versus the Flyers was Marek Malik, who re-aggravated a shoulder problem that has been nagging him all season long. He missed several games, but is back in the lineup now. However, the injury will be a constant factor and may affect the way he performs during the game. Other players nursing injuries suffered in recent games include Aaron Ward, Marcel Hossa and captain Jaromir Jagr. Though they are hurting, they are playing through the pain and remaining in the lineup.

With important games coming up against teams such as the Montreal Canadiens, the Toronto Maple Leafs, the Carolina Hurricanes and the hated rival New York Islanders (all teams with whom the Rangers are fighting for playoff positions), this latest string of injuries will be yet another hurdle for the Broadway Blueshirts to overcome. Their improved play overall as of late must continue, despite the loss of Shanahan and the injuries to others, or else the 2006-07 season will go down as a waste, ending without a playoff berth, nor a low enough finish to garner a top draft pick.