Chris Kreider, recalled on Saturday following a one-day stay with the AHL Whale to act as standby for last night’s match against the Capitals in case Rick Nash had been unable to go, will likely remain with the Rangers in the aftermath of an injury sustained by Darroll Powe early in the second period of the Blueshirts’ 2-1 victory at the Garden.
Powe banged his head on the ice after flipping into the air in a neutral zone collision with Matt Hendricks at 3:51 of the second period. The winger attempted to avoid Hendricks, whom he saw at the last moment after turning, but instead clipped the Cap’s leg and went into the air before landing on his helmet.
Powe, who was in his sixth game with the Rangers following his Feb. 4 acquisition from Minnesota for Mike Rupp, remained down for a few minutes before being helped to the locker room. He did not return.
The energetic fourth-line winger had emerged as a key component of the Rangers’ penalty-kill unit that has killed 18 straight opposition power plays.
“In a short period of time, he has made a big impression,” said Derek Stepan, who got the winner on a third-period power play. “He fits in really well here, and is a big part of our team already.
“Hopefully he recovers fast and gets back.”
Coach John Tortorella was noncommittal when asked about Kreider, saying: “He’s here now and we’ll re-assess [today].”
But before the game, when asked why Kreider had been chosen as Nash’s understudy after just one day and one game with the Whale, Tortorella said: “We asked [Connecticut management] and that’s who they told me [should come up].”
* Michael Del Zotto, who led the Rangers with 24:17 of ice, delivered the pinpoint diagonal pass that Stepan converted for the winner after being restored to the first PP unit after a four-game absence.
“[The power play] has been in his hands for a couple of years here,” said Tortorella. “Sometimes he’s really good at it and sometimes he’s really bad at it.” … Marian Gaborik had six shots on net on nine attempts. … Matt Gilroy played one shift in the third, sitting for the final 16:53. … The Canadiens are at the Garden tomorrow before the Blueshirts take a two-game trip to Ottawa and Montreal.