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A common theme for the New York Rangers thus far in the 2014-15 season is overcoming adversity. They display a never-say-die attitude and have overcome two significant injuries to key players to remain in the thick of things in the Eastern Conference.
Now, they may face a more significant challenge.
Captain Ryan McDonagh, one of the few indispensable players on this team, suffered a separated shoulder following a massive, but clean hit from the Winnipeg Jets‘ Evander Kane in Saturday night’s 1-0 shootout loss. He will undergo an MRI Sunday morning to determine if he needs surgery.
To be sure, McDonagh will miss at least the next week if he doesn’t need surgery. Last season, McDonagh missed the final five games of the regular season after the same shoulder he injured last night was separated as a result of a cheap shot by the Vancouver Canucks‘ Alex Burrows. If we are to judge injury time frame based on last season’s injury, missing five games appears to be a best-case scenario.
The Rangers have to prepare for the worst should he require surgery. For a team already lacking on defensive depth and without Dan Boyle, this is a chance for the remaining Rangers to step up.
Is it time for the Rangers to panic if McDonagh misses significant time? Not necessarily.
Boyle will return very soon, and Dan Girardi and Marc Staal, assuming they play as great as they did in the absence of McDonagh and Kevin Klein Saturday night, will adapt to the role of top defensive pair, as they have at times during their careers. Matt Hunwick has played very well, and Klein, despite suffering a foot contusion against Winnipeg, is having a very good year so far.
It will also be an opportunity for prospects such as Conor Allen and Dylan McIlrath to step in and prove themselves. Of course, neither of them can replace McDonagh, but these players know they have something to prove.
The x-factor is the beleaguered Mike Kostka. Despite a good performance last night, which Kostka will the Rangers get? The Kostka that single-handedly blew a game against the New York Islanders, or the Kostka from Saturday night? With a big chip on his shoulder, perhaps Kostka will surprise.
No one is going to feel sorry for the Rangers. It is up to them to overcome this latest bit of adversity.
They’ve done it well so far this season, and now it is time to see the true depth of this team’s pride and heart.
Matt Stillwell is a New York Rangers contributor for www.rantsports.com. Follow him on Twitter @MattNYR12!
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