Ill Rangers starting to feel better

Blue surgical masks hung from each locker at the Rangers' training center on Thursday, but with vaccinations and rest, a stretch of illnesses appears to be under control.

Tanner Glass, who has missed three games because of mumps, is feeling better. He skated alone before practice on Thursday, but coach Alain Vigneault said the forward will not make the trip to Detroit on Friday for Saturday's game.

"He's got a face only a mother could love right now," Vigneault said, referring to the swelling from the illness. But Vigneault said Glass will skate again on Friday and could return on Monday when the Rangers (11-9-4) host the Penguins.

Defenseman Dan Boyle, who missed two games with an apparent case of flu, practiced and said afterward that he felt "real good." He was paired with Marc Staal, and Vigneault said Boyle will play on Saturday.

After blood tests on Sunday, "nothing's come up positive," Boyle said. "I'm not quite sure what I had or what it's called, but it certainly kicked my butt."

Boyle, who signed with the Rangers during the summer after turning down offers from the Islanders and Red Wings, was sidelined for 14 games after breaking a hand while blocking a shot Oct. 11 against Columbus.

"I think the hockey gods are not happy I signed here," said Boyle, 38, who played at least 75 games in nine of his previous 10 NHL full seasons. "I don't know if they're Islanders fans or Detroit fans. I've played 1,100 games and never had the flu. It's been a strange season so far."

With Boyle back, defenseman John Moore will be a healthy scratch. Ryan McDonagh was back on his natural left side and Matt Hunwick was partnered with Kevin Klein. Vigneault said he believes that moving McDonagh back with Dan Girardi will "probably be a good thing" for him and that Hunwick had earned a top-six spot.

The big question: Who will be in net against the Red Wings? Henrik Lundqvist (9-7-3, 2.70 GAA, .905 save percentage) was not at his best in the 6-3 loss to Tampa Bay on Monday and backup Cam Talbot (2-2-1, 2.21, .924) blanked the Flyers in his last two starts.

In an unusual gathering, Lundqvist called a huddle with the team's defensemen at one end of the ice after practice to discuss "the details of the game" and "how we talk on the ice," he said later. "You're a save away here and there, and sometimes that's the difference."

Vigneault liked the impromptu session but did not reveal his choice for Saturday because he hadn't told the goalies. Talbot might get the nod, with Lundqvist returning in the division matchup against the Penguins at the Garden.