New York, NY (SportsNetwork.com) - Defenseman Kevin Klein is not expected to return to the New York Rangers' lineup for Thursday's Game 1 of the team's Eastern Conference quarterfinals series against Pittsburgh.
Klein is still recovering from a fractured left arm he sustained when being struck by a shot from Washington's Alex Ovechkin in a March 11 game against the Capitals. The 30-year-old had been given a 4-to-6 week timetable for recovery.
Rangers head coach Alain Vigneault told reporters Tuesday that Klein will not participate in Wednesday's practice.
"Everybody knows a broken arm takes time to heal," Vigneault told NHL.com. "We anticipated four to six [weeks]; we're in that range. It's healing on its own but he's not quite ready to join the team."
Klein, who tallied career bests of nine goals and 26 points in 65 games during the regular season, missed New York's final 16 contests with the injury.
Vigneault did say that Rangers leading scorer Rick Nash and defenseman Marc Staal will play in Thursday's opener against the Penguins. Both players sat out the final two regular-season games with undisclosed injuries.
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