New York, NY (SportsNetwork.com) - New York Rangers goaltender Henrik Lundqvist is expected to be sidelined for at least the next three weeks because of a vascular injury to his neck.
Lundqvist was hit in the throat by a shot in the second period of last Saturday's game against the Carolina Hurricanes. He stayed in the game and made 31 saves in the Rangers' 4-1 victory.
The 32-year-old veteran then stopped 33 shots Monday in a 6-3 victory against the Florida Panthers, but didn't dress Wednesday against the Bruins due to what the Rangers called an upper-body injury.
On Friday, coach Alain Vigneault did not update Lundqvist's status, saying only that the All-Star netminder wouldn't travel with the team for Saturday's contest against Nashville.
The New York Post on Friday cited a source as saying that Lundqvist would be sidelined for at least a month because of the injury, and the Rangers followed with a statement regarding the goaltender's condition.
"We have been conferring with leading medical experts to ensure the best possible care," the statement read. "Henrik will remain sidelined at least three weeks, until he is revaluated and we have completed the process of conferring with the medical experts."
Lundqvist is 25-11-3 with five shutouts and a 2.25 goals-against average in 39 games this season.
Cam Talbot will start Saturday against Nashville after making 18 saves in a 3-2 win over Boston on Wednesday. He is 5-4-1 with three shutouts and a 2.14 GAA in 12 games this season.
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