Already suffering from a lack of depth in terms of scoring lines, the Rangers suffered a serious blow yesterday with the news that Vinny Prospal will be out 10 days to three weeks after undergoing arthroscopic knee surgery.
Prospal, who is second behind Marian Gaborik on the Rangers with 32 points, had surgery to repair a lateral meniscus tear in his right knee, an injury he suffered in Saturday’s 3-2 overtime loss to the Islanders. The 34-year-old left winger, who has spent the entire season on the same line as Gaborik, leads the Rangers — and is 19th in the NHL — with 19 assists.
His departure from the lineup likely means Brandon Dubinsky will continue to center Gaborik, and that possibly Christopher Higgins will slide into Prospal’s spot on the left wing.
Another potential roster change in the wake of Prospal’s injury is that the Rangers could recall P.A. Parenteau, who has a goal and three assists in 14 games with the Blueshirts this season. If he is recalled, one possible landing spot for him could be on a line with Sean Avery and Artem Anisimov.