Sports

Lundqvist set to return to net in Rangers' long-awaited home opener

Associated Press
Published | Updated

New York Rangers center Derick Brassard (16) scores the winning goal on Detroit Red Wings goalie Jimmy Howard during the first overtime period of an NHL hockey game Saturday, Oct. 26, 2013, in Detroit. The Rangers won 3-2. (AP Photo/Duane Burleson) (The Associated Press)

Detroit Red Wings center Henrik Zetterberg (40), of Sweden, takes a shot against New York Rangers goalie Cameron Talbot (33) and defenseman Anton Stralman (6), of Sweden, during the third period of an NHL hockey game Saturday, Oct. 26, 2013, in Detroit. The Rangers won 3-2. (AP Photo/Duane Burleson) (The Associated Press)

The New York Rangers are finally back in familiar surroundings at renovated Madison Square Garden.

More importantly, they will have a most familiar face protecting the net during their home opener on Monday against the Montreal Canadiens.

Henrik Lundqvist will be back between the pipes after he sat out two games because of an undisclosed injury. The Rangers took advantage of a light week of games and gave Lundqvist time off to heal from his ailment.

New York returned home for practice on Sunday at the Garden, which underwent the third phase of a $1 billion renovation that kept the Rangers on the road for the first nine games of the season.