When talking about the most important players on the Rangers roster that they can't afford to lose, defenseman Ryan McDonagh is probably one of the first players that should get mentioned. And that's why the big hit he took in the first period on Saturday night was so concerning for the Rangers.
As McDonagh went to play the puck in the corner, he was crushed into the boards by Jets forward Evander Kane.
McDonagh remained on the ice for a few minutes before exiting the game and heading to the locker room in obvious pain. The Rangers later announced that McDonagh suffered a separated shoulder and will not return.
That is the same shoulder that McDonagh injured late last season.
As if McDonagh's injury wasn't enough, defenseman Kevin Klein also left the game for the Rangers in the first period with a foot contusion leaving them with only four defensemen for the remainder of the night.
