GREENBURGH, N.Y. -- New York Rangers defenseman Kevin Klein is not expected to play in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference First Round against the Pittsburgh Penguins on Thursday (7 p.m. ET; CBC, NBCSN, TVA Sports, ROOT, MSG) because he has not been cleared to return to practice.
Klein sustained a broken left arm March 11 against the Washington Capitals and missed the final 16 games of the regular season. The Rangers will practice Wednesday in advance of Game 1, but coach Alain Vigneault said Klein will not participate.
Vigneault said Klein will have to practice before he plays in a game. He said Klein is skating on his own.
"Everybody knows a broken arm takes time to heal," Vigneault said. "We anticipated four to six [weeks]; we're in that range. It's healing on its own but he's not quite ready to join the team."
Defenseman Marc Staal and forward Rick Nash will be good to go for Game 1 after they missed the last two games of the regular season because of undisclosed injuries. They practiced Tuesday.
"I feel good," Staal said. "It was good to get a couple games there and rest up. I skated a little bit [Monday and Tuesday], felt really good. I'm excited to get the playoffs started."
The Rangers are expected to have a defense corps featuring Staal, Ryan McDonagh, Dan Girardi, Dan Boyle, Keith Yandle and Matt Hunwick on Thursday. Chris Summers is expected to be a healthy scratch.
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