NHL

Rangers’ Allen to make NHL debut

Conor Allen practiced with the Rangers Saturday following his recall from the AHL Wolf Pack a day earlier. The 23-year-old first-year pro will make his NHL debut against the Lightning if Anton Stralman is unable to go. Stralman, who suffered an undisclosed injury that forced him out of Friday’s contest in the first period, did not practice.

Allen, signed by the Rangers last spring as an undrafted free agent out of UMass, took a 6 a.m. flight to Washington after receiving a phone call from Hartford coach Ken Gernander informing him of the promotion.

“I wouldn’t have been able to sleep much anyway,” Allen said. “[Getting the news] was pretty surreal. I didn’t really recognize Gernander’s voice. I thought it might have been a prank call.”

“I think my nerves are only going to get worse closer to game time. Hopefully I’ll get over it.”

Allen played three pre-season games for the Blueshirts.

“I’m sure preseason is different than the NHL halfway through the year, but going so far in camp and playing those games makes me more comfortable,” he said. “It will help to get a few blows in early to help me get my feet wet.

I’ll just keep it as simple as I possibly can.”

Said Rangers coach Alain Vigneault: “I really liked his skill level and hockey sense in camp. I thought he had a tremendous amount of upside for a young guy.”

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J.T. Miller has made far more of an impact in his third tour this season with the Rangers following his Dec. 19 recall from the Wolf Pack than in his first two tries. Miller has played in the middle this time after having spent most of his previous time with the Blueshirts — including last year — on the wing.

“I don’t know which one is my natural position,” Miller said. “I have more room to skate at center, but for me the big thing has been my play at the defensive end and without the puck. You can’t play one way and expect to be in the NHL.

“I also think I’m a little more mature as a pro now,” said the 20-year-old, who has been skating on an up-tempo third line between Carl Hagelin and Benoit Pouliot. “I’m doing whatever I can to learn every day.”

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Derek Stepan and Mats Zuccarello both missed practice because of the flu but are expected to play. Marc Staal (post-concussion) took part in practice but will not play and is extremely unlikely for Tuesday’s match in Florida. Friday in Pittsburgh remains the target for his return. Ryan Callahan (sprained knee) skated in full gear but is believed at least two weeks away from rejoining the club.