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Ryan McDonagh to Miss 3-4 Weeks With A Separated Shoulder

By Tasha St. Pierre

Nov 1, 2014; New York, NY, USA; New York Rangers defenseman Ryan McDonagh (27) is helped off the ice after being checked by Winnipeg Jets left wing Evander Kane (9) during the first period at Madison Square Garden. McDonagh separated his shoulder. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 1, 2014; New York, NY, USA; New York Rangers defenseman Ryan McDonagh (27) is helped off the ice after being checked by Winnipeg Jets left wing Evander Kane (9) during the first period at Madison Square Garden. McDonagh separated his shoulder. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports /
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New York Rangers captain Ryan McDonagh is expected to miss 3-4 weeks due to a separated shoulder obtained on Saturday night.

The New York Rangers currently find themselves in the middle of the pack in the Metropolitan Division of the National Hockey League, but after Saturday’s game their climb to the top of the division got that much more difficult.

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On Saturday night, the Rangers opened the doors to Madison Square Garden to play host to Andrew Ladd and the Winnipeg Jets. The injury occurred with about 8:20 left in the first period when McDonagh was playing the puck to the right of the Rangers’ net.

It was then that the captain took a huge hit – a legal one before anyone wonders – into the boards at the hands of 6’2” 198 pound left wing Evander Kane.

Unfortunately, this is not going to be a short term loss for the Rangers. As a result of the hit, the Rangers captain suffered a separated shoulder. According to the National Hockey League, Ryan McDonagh will be forced to miss 3-4 weeks as a result of the injury.

Here is a look at how it all went down courtesy of NHL.com.

This is not the first time that McDonagh suffered this very same injury. In fact, it was this injury that forced the 27 year old defenseman to miss the final five games of the 2013-14 season.

Last season with the Rangers, McDonagh played in all but the final five games of the season, which allowed him the opportunity to net 14 goals and 29 assists for a total of 43 points and a plus-11 rating. Unfortunately, he has not quite seen the same success this season.

In the ten games he played in prior to his injury, McDonagh has scored just 3 assists.

As we mentioned previously, while the Rangers have seen their fair share of struggles they have a winning record of 5-4-1 so far this season. This puts them in the middle of the pack in the Metropolitan Division, which is currently being controlled by Sidney Crosby and the Pittsburgh Penguins.

In the absolute best-case scenario McDonagh could be ready to return around November 26th when the Rangers head to the Amalie Arena to take on the Tampa Bay Lightning; however, that seems a bit of a stretch at this early stage in the game.

Unfortunately for the Rangers, they will meet their Division rivals, and current Division leaders, the Pittsburgh Penguins not once but twice during McDonagh’s absence.

Taking into consideration the other injuries that the Rangers have fallen victim to, like the ones to defenseman Kevin Klein, center Derek Stepan, and defenseman Dan Boyle, it is going to be quite a challenge. It will be interesting to see how the Rangers are able to cope with their string of player losses lately.

What do you think the Rangers will need to do in order to compensate for the loss of Ryan McDonagh? Do you think they have what it takes to overcome in spite of adversity and make their way to the top of the division? Let us know what you think in the comments below.

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