Rangers' Lundqvist to return 'when the time is right'

NEW YORK -- New York Rangers goaltender Henrik Lundqvist doesn't have a specific date when he might return to the lineup, but he's eager to resume his familiar role.

Lundqvist spoke to the media at Madison Square Garden on Wednesday for the first time since the Rangers announced Tuesday he was cleared by doctors to begin practicing.

"Hockey is such a big part of my life, and when you miss if for that long you feel a little off," Lundqvist said. "Physically I feel great, so now it's about getting out there and getting the timing right, getting comfortable in practice and game situations.

"When you're out this long, you start missing everything about the game. You miss coming to games and the pressure of the games; it made me appreciate the game even more."

Henrik Lundqvist

Goalie - NYR

RECORD: 25-11-3
GAA: 2.25 | SVP: .922

Lundqvist said he isn't committed to playing a certain number of games in order to feel completely ready for the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

"The focus is this week and doing everything I can to get back as soon as possible, and whenever the coaching staff and myself feel like it's time, I'll play," he said. "I just want to play games because I miss it so much. I think more about playing than getting ready for the playoffs. I don't want to rush back. Cam [Talbot] is playing great and the team is doing amazing. I just want to be ready when the time is right."

The Rangers, who lead the Metropolitan Division, have 13 games remaining in the regular season after playing the Chicago Blackhawks at Madison Square Garden on Wednesday.

Lundqvist, 33, is scheduled to participate Friday in his first practice with the Rangers since the injury. He said he's looking forward to taking shots from teammates instead of coaches, which he did on Wednesday morning.

"The key is not to do too much; you want to go out there and work on the things you need to work on and don't expect perfection right away," Lundqvist said. "It'll take some time before I reach that top level.

"I just can't just can't jump out there because I want to play. I want to make sure when I go out there I feel ready to make a difference and help the team."

Rangers coach Alain Vigneault said he is confident Lundqvist will be ready for the postseason if he can play two to five games before the regular season ends.

"In training camp, it only takes him a couple [of games] and he was good to go," Vigneault said. "He's played 39 games so far this year. Yes, he's been out of the lineup, but he's also been active, so I don't expect this to be a long time for him to tell me he's good to go."

Rangers general manager Glen Sather, speaking to reporters earlier Wednesday from the NHL GM meetings in Boca Raton, Fla., said Lundqvist might need at least 10 days to get himself prepared for playoff hockey.

"Just because he was cleared doesn't mean he's ready to return," Sather said. "I'd say a week to 10 days, probably closer to 10 days. The other thing about this is we want him ready for the end of the year. We're going to make the playoffs. He's got to get some games."

Lundqvist is 25-11-3 with a 2.25 goals-against average, .922 save percentage and five shutouts. The Rangers all-time wins and shutouts leader was 16-4-0 with a 1.82 goals-against average, one shutout and .938 save percentage in the 20 games prior to his injury.

He said the risk the damaging the blood vessel is no longer there and everything has been healing well. He will wear an extra support behind his neck for another 7-8 days while practicing but said he wouldn't need it when he begins playing in games.

The Rangers are 15-2-3 since Lundqvist was injured and have gone 33-7-3 since Dec. 8 to tie for the lead for the Presidents' Trophy with 95 points. Talbot is 13-2-3 while filling in for Lundqvist and is 17-6-4 with a 2.19 GAA and .926 save percentage in 29 games.

Vigneault earlier this week told ESPN Radio New York that when Lundqvist is ready he will be the Rangers' No. 1 goaltender.

"I always thought when we used Cam last year and this year that teammates had a tremendous amount of confidence in him," Vigneault said. "In the time we needed him to be the No. 1 guy, he certainly did the job that was expected. He's definitely proven to himself and his teammates that he can perform as a No. 1 guy and get the job done."

Talbot's performance in the absence of the organization's highest-paid player has given Vigneault confidence heading into the Stanley Cup Playoffs with the benefit of a solid one-two punch.

Talbot has won his past four starts and has an 0.75 GAA, one shutout and a .976 save percentage over that stretch.

"I've been impressed but not surprised [by Talbot]," Lundqvist said. "Especially the last 10 or 11 games, it looks like he's in a lot of control when he plays and I think a lot of it is confidence but also small details he corrected. He's been winning games for the team and playing at a really high level, so for me, there's no stress to come back.

"He's doing a great job, but obviously I want to play and come back and help the team. In the meantime, he'll take care of the things."

"When you look at it and see the amount of practice we have available, it's not a lot and, yes, [Henrik has] been working out on his own, and condition-wise, he's really good," Vigneault said. "I can't give you anything more until he practices a little bit and we see how he feels."

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