Lundqvist to visit specialist, Rangers goaltender hopeful for Game 2

PITTSBURGH, Pa. - The New York Rangers are still hoping to have Henrik Lundqvist available for Game 2 of their first round series with the Penguins.

"At this time we don't feel that it's anything too serious," Rangers head coach Alain Vigneault said Thursday morning from the team hotel.

According to Vigneault, Lundqvist has a little bit of swelling around his left eye from a stick that snuck through his mask on Wednesday night. The club recalled Magnus Hellberg from their AHL affiliate in Hartford, but remain hopeful that Lundqvist can play on Saturday afternoon with the Rangers facing a potential 2-0 series deficit.

Lundqvist was due to visit a specialist in Pittsburgh on Thursday afternoon. The results of the examination would determine his availability moving forward.

Vigneault said Lundqvist would have to practice Friday if he was to play in Game 2.

The 34-year-old Lundqvist was struck near the left eye by the blade of teammate Marc Staal's stick in the first period of a 5-2 Game 1 loss to Pittsburgh. He remained in the game for the final 48 seconds of the period before being replaced by Antti Raanta.