Kevin Hayes injury update: Rangers forward out 2-3 weeks
The New York Rangers will be without Kevin Hayes for the next two to three weeks thanks to a lower body injury.
The New York Rangers are in a dogfight in the Metropolitan Division. There are four excellent teams and only three divisional playoff spots available. The fourth-best team will have to settle for a wild card spot, giving them a sub-optimal route to the Stanley Cup. New York will be a bit shorthanded for a while, as Kevin Hayes will miss the next two to three weeks with a lower body injury.
OFFICIAL: #NYR Kevin Hayes had an MRI this morning and will be sidelined for 2 to 3 weeks with a lower body injury.
— New York Rangers (@NYRangers) January 23, 2017
Because of the Rangers unique setup, they don’t rely on any one forward a lot. Their strength lies in their depth, as their forward depth gives them four lines capable of scoring goals. However, Hayes is one of the more important pieces. Not only has he been productive, he has been stellar on the penalty kill.
After a roller coaster 2015-2016 season, Hayes has found a constant spot in the Rangers lineup this season. He put up 36 points last season and already has 35 points in 47 games this season. Hayes is on pace to shatter his previous career highs of 17 goals, 28 assists, and 45 points set back in 2014-15.
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The Rangers are going to miss Hayes. Their lineup was a bit of out of sorts without Mika Zibanejad in it. However, his recent return should make the loss of Hayes much easier to handle. But his importance to the Rangers shouldn’t be taken lightly. Hayes is their most deadly shorthanded weapon with five points on the penalty kill.
He’s excellent in transition and is one of the Rangers best forward in the offensive zone. New York dodges a bit of a bullet with the All-Star Break coming up soon, but in a tight playoff race, losing Hayes might be the difference between a top three spot in the division and a wild card spot.