Lundqvist will miss Sunday's Rangers-Oilers game
Rangers goalie Henrik Lundqvist squirts water on his face after giving up a goal to Philadelphia's Nikolay Zherdev in the second period. (Nov. 4, 2010) Credit: AP
Henrik Lundqvist, stricken with the flu before Thursday's game against the Buffalo Sabres, still is not up to par, and Rangers backup Martin Biron will start today's matinee against the Edmonton Oilers. It will be Biron's second consecutive home start.
"You know me. I want to play every game," said Lundqvist, who appeared in a career-high 73 last season. "But should you go out and battle through it? You can't be selfish. I'm still trying to get back to 100 percent. Right now I just want to feel sharp."
Lundqvist is likely to face the Penguins in Pittsburgh Monday.
The Rangers anticipated that Biron (2-2, 2.26 GAA), would play 17 to 20 games this season, but this will be his fifth in 17.
"If Henrik was healthy enough, he would play, but we feel very good about Marty's game," coach John Tortorella said after practice Saturday. "This is what's good when you have a veteran guy to help out in these types of situations."
Biron, 35, who signed a two-year contract July 1, made 29 saves in the 3-2 overtime victory over Buffalo. He is 0-5-0 against the Oilers, who are ending a five-game road trip.
Standing pat. Tortorella will send out the same lineup against the Oilers. Derek Boogaard again will be a healthy scratch. Marian Gaborik, Brandon Dubinsky at center and Ryan Callahan will stay together as part of the first power-play unit, Tortorella said. The fourth line of Derek Stepan, Sean Avery and Todd White will remain intact.
For expanded notes, visit newsday.com/rangers
