It was exactly six weeks ago Monday when Rangers forward Mats Zuccarello broke his left wrist while blocking a shot from Sabres defenseman Jordan Leopold, a time frame that was estimated as the earliest for Zuccarello’s return.
The Rangers’ 24-year-old Norwegian winger skated with the team for the first time since then at yesterday’s optional practice at the Garden.
A good sign, but Zuccarello said he’s still at least 10 days from being available.
“It’s still sore but it’s going to be sore for a long time,” he said as he unfastened the newer, smaller soft cast he wears. “It’s kind of hard to tell [a time frame]. I get a little scared when it hurts and you don’t want to do too much.”
Zuccarello was an added offensive threat — especially on the power play — when he was recalled from the Connecticut Whale of the AHL in mid-March. He played seven games before being injured, and has been with the team since, watching his teammates win their opening-round playoff series against the Senators in seven games and gain a 3-2 series advantage against the Capitals in the Eastern Conference semifinals. Game 6 is set for tonight in Washington.
“It’s been tough,” Zuccarello said. “It’s real boring.”
Although he looked tentative yesterday, the goal for the 5-foot-7 sniper is be healthy enough to play if the Rangers continue past the Capitals.
“I don’t know if I’m going to play or not, but obviously I want to be healthy and be available,” said Zuccarello, who added it will not take him long to get his endurance up to game shape. “The team is doing well so maybe there’s no room for me in the lineup. It’s not up to me, I just want to get ready and be available if they need me.”
* John Mitchell logged his third-highest amount of ice time this playoffs in Game 5, getting 7:34, with 2:07 coming on the power play. The biggest play came when he won the faceoff in overtime to set up Marc Staal’s game-winning goal.
“He makes a big play [Monday] winning a faceoff,” coach John Tortorella said. “He has found his way a little bit as far as getting pucks to the net here, but we’re going to continue to ask more from him.”
Spending the majority of his 63 regular-season games on an infrequently used fourth line, Mitchell’s big play has not completely wiped out his past performances.
“Oh, he’s been inconsistent,” Tortorella said. “He’s a guy that I can use in a lot of different spots. He’s been strong on the puck, he’s a guy that can take a faceoff if I need him. He’s helped us a little bit with some special teams, on the power play. Again, for him to get more ice time, he has to play better.”
* There was no update on Brandon Dubinsky, who injured his right foot in Game 7 against the Senators and was seen on crutches after Game 5 at the Garden.