By IRA PODELL
AP Hockey Writer
UNIONDALE, N.Y.(AP) -- Star forward Marian Gaborik was ruled out
of the New York Rangers' game against the New York Islanders on
Wednesday because of an undisclosed injury sustained earlier
this week.
Gaborik, the NHL's third-leading scorer with 18 points, was
injured late in the third period Monday of the Rangers' 5-2
victory over Phoenix after he collided with a Coyotes player. He
didn't finish the game, but said then he wasn't concerned about
the injury.
However, he didn't skate with his teammates Wednesday morning,
and New York coach John Tortorella said Gaborik wouldn't play
that night.
The Rangers didn't disclose details of the injury, but said it
wasn't related to previous major ailments to his hip or groin.
Tortorella also declined to discuss how much time Gaborik might
miss.
"He won't be playing tonight," Tortorella said. "I'm not going
to get into an explanation of his injury, but it's not from
anything prior."
The Rangers are expected to have No. 1 goalie Henrik Lundqvist
in the nets on Wednesday night, one day after he was involved in
a minor car accident on his way to practice. Lundqvist took part
in the morning skate on Long Island and said he was fine to
play.
P.A. Parenteau, recalled from Hartford of the AHL on Tuesday,
will take Gaborik's place in the lineup against the Islanders.
In nine games this season with Hartford, Parenteau has a
league-best eight goals and is tied for the AHL lead with 14
points.
Parenteau, who has never played a regular-season game with the
Rangers, has five games of NHL experience. He posted one assist
and two penalty minutes with the Chicago Blackhawks in the
2006-07 season.
Gaborik was limited to 17 games last season due to hip surgery
and problems with his groin. After making his late-season debut
in March, Gaborik put up 13 goals and 23 points.
That was enough evidence of his restored health to entice the
Rangers to sign the 27-year-old winger to a five-year, $37.5
million deal. He has paid instant dividends by scoring 10 goals
- second most in the NHL - and adding eight assists in only 12
games.
Gaborik had two goals and an assist against the Coyotes before
being forced out of the game.
"It's nothing related to my groin or hip or torso," Gaborik said
Monday. "I collided with one of their players, but it's nothing
major. It happened with about five minutes left, and the game
was pretty much over."
News
