Darroll Powe’s misfortune could become Brandon Mashinter’s opportunity.
The Blueshirts yesterday recalled the 24-year-old, 6-foot-4, 230-pound winger from the AHL Whale after putting Powe on injured reserve with the concussion he sustained when his head banged against the ice following a collision with Washington’s Matt Hendricks early in the third period of Sunday’s 2-1 Rangers’ victory over the Caps at the Garden.
Chris Kreider, recalled on a standby basis Saturday after playing the previous night for the Whale and who was scratched on Sunday, remains on the Rangers’ roster, so it is unknown whether he or Mashinter will get the call tonight when the Rangers meet the Canadiens on Broadway.
If coach John Tortorella is looking for brawn, then his man would likely be Mashinter, acquired from the Sharks in exchange for Tommy Grant and a conditional 2014 draft pick on Jan. 16. If Tortorella believes the Rangers require additional speed and skill, then Kreider would be the selection.
“There’s a lot that goes into it,” Tortorella said following yesterday’s practice, during which Mashinter and Kreider both participated. “It’s a process [with Mashinter]. I wanted to get a look at him.
“I’m not sure of what the lineup will be.”
Powe, meanwhile, had made himself a staple on a penalty-kill unit with Jeff Halpern and on the fourth line with Halpern and Arron Asham in his seven games as a Ranger since coming from Minnesota on Feb. 4 in a deal for Mike Rupp.
“I missed him right away on the bench, protecting the lead, killing penalties,” Tortorella said. “I don’t know how long he’s going to be out but we changed the lineup a little bit [with the trade] and he’s been a big part of that.”
Powe had been on the ice for one power play goal against in 12:29 of penalty-killing time as a Ranger. The Blueshirts have killed 18 straight.
* Mashinter played 13 NHL games with the Sharks two years ago, recording three fighting majors and 17 penalty minutes without a point. … Carl Hagelin has scored five goals in four consecutive games after getting one in his previous 39 dating back to last season, including the playoffs.
The Rangers are in Ottawa on Thursday and Montreal Saturday following tonight’s match that will mark their 10th game at the Garden in their first 15 of the season.