New York Rangers goaltender Henrik Lundqvist said Thursday he sustained an injury in the team's second game of the season that's he battled ever since.
Lundqvist won't be in uniform Thursday when the Rangers visit the Philadelphia Flyers, but he was on the ice earlier in the day for a 30-minute workout, during which he took shots from Mats Zuccarello, Carl Hagelin and Justin Falk.
Lundqvist said afterward he's "feeling better." He apparently was hurt at some point during a 3-1 win against the Los Angeles Kings on Oct. 7. Lundqvist declined to specify what the injury was.
The following night Lundqvist was pulled after giving up four goals on 26 shots in a 9-2 loss to the San Jose Sharks. In his following start he gave up six goals on 37 shots in a 6-0 loss to the Anaheim Ducks.
Lundqvist is 2-4-0 with a 3.45 goals-against average and .890 save percentage in seven games this season.
Lundqvist told Newsday writer Steve Zipay that "things could be done" to get him ready to play if it was the Stanley Cup Playoffs, but under the present circumstances he wants to take the time to get better.
"It's not something I wanted to be around for the next couple of weeks," Lundqvist said. "It's definitely moving in the right direction."
Lundqvist's absence means Cam Talbot will make his NHL debut against the Flyers while Jason Missiaen, who also has no past NHL experience, will serve as his backup.
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