Brady Skjei recalled by Rangers to replace Ryan McDonagh

Brady Skjei #76 of the New York Rangers skates in the first period against the Edmonton Oilers at Madison Square Garden on Tuesday, Dec. 15, 2015. Credit: Jim McIsaac
Defenseman Ryan McDonagh, hurt in Columbus on Monday, is sidelined for at least the rest of the regular season with an upper-body injury. The Blueshirts’ captain was struck in the right hand blocking Brandon Dubinsky’s one-timer. Brady Skjei, 22, summoned from Hartford, took his spot with Kevin Klein.
Skjei, who is likely to play in the two final regular-season games, was on ice for 16:22, including 5:16 shorthanded. He had one shot, had three others blocked, and also had two hits and two blocks in his fifth NHL game.
“Brady was jumping into the play,” coach Alain Vigneault said. “You’ve got to pick your spots and I think the more he plays, he’s going to understand.”
Dylan McIlrath, who hadn’t played since March 6 because of a knee injury or being a healthy scratch, stepped in for 39-year-old Dan Boyle. The defenseman got a night off after dressing in 30 straight games. McIlrath started in a pairing with Marc Staal, played 12:31, and was a plus-2, with two hits. He also took and early hooking penalty that led to a Lightning goal. Forward Oscar Lindberg, a healthy scratch for 10 games, subbed for Kevin Hayes and played just 6:03.
Lightning struck down
The Lightning, which has 95 points, was hurting. All-Star Steven Stamkos (surgery for blood clot in shoulder) and defensemen Anton Stralman (broken leg) and Victor Hedman and former Ranger captain Ryan Callahan were sidelined.
Ice chips
Tanner Glass likely will have a hearing on a possible suspension for his blindside hit on Vladimir Namestnikov in the first period . . . Dan Girardi was down and woozy after being shouldered into the boards behind the net by Brian Boyle with 1:08 left. Boyle received a game misconduct . . Mats Zuccarello had two assists and has 61 points . . . The Rangers have 45 wins in each of the last three seasons . . . Chris Kreider’s 21st goal tied his career high.
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