Rangers winger Wojtek Wolski, forced out of Sunday’s game against the Penguins early in the second period after sustaining a rib cage muscle pull, will not be available for Thursday night’s match at the Garden against the Kings, according to coach John Tortorella.
“Woolie felt better today, but I don’t want him in the lineup and then have to pull him after five shifts,” Tortorella said following practice.
“That’s kind of how it went today.”
Wolski, who said following practice that he felt discomfort when twisting and shooting, had been playing left wing on a unit with Brian Boyle in the middle and Ryan Callahan on the right side.
It is likely that Mats Zuccarello will move up from his spot on the line with center Erik Christensen and Brandon Prust to assume Wolksi’s spot.
Kris Newbury, recalled from the AHL Whale following practice, will slide in on the fourth unit. Newbury, who had impressed the staff in a prior eight-game stint, could play the wing or he could play his natural center position while Christensen shifts to the flank.
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Michael Del Zotto, scratched on Sunday, will return to the lineup in place of Steve Eminger, who played 4:08 overall and did not get off the bench in the third period against the Penguins after five straight healthy scratches. … Ruslan Fedotenko, who had an appendectomy last week while recovering from a shoulder strain that has sidelined him since Jan. 20, skated on his own this morning. There is no ETA for the winger’s return.