Rangers' McDonagh back on the ice

New York Rangers defenseman Ryan McDonagh skated on his own prior to the morning skate Friday at Madison Square Garden, but will not play against the Los Angeles Kings (7 p.m. ET; NHLN, FS-W, MSG).
McDonagh has missed games this week against the New Jersey Devils and Pittsburgh Penguins as the result of a concussion sustained Feb. 6 against the Philadelphia Flyers when he was punched in the head by Flyers forward Wayne Simmonds, who received a match penalty.

"He's coming along. Just following the protocol," Rangers coach Alain Vigneault said after the morning skate. "When we went to Pittsburgh, he rode the bike for the first time, just a light bike ride. Did another light one yesterday. This morning skated on his own, again very lightly. Just following the protocol and hopefully there will be progression as we move along here.
"On those things, it is day-to-day and we just hope that when the intensity gets higher, he is symptom-free. We will see how he does tomorrow and go from there."
In 52 games this season McDonagh has seven goals and 26 points, and leads the Rangers in average ice time at 22:24 per game. The Rangers (31-18-5) have won twice in his absence and carry a four-game winning streak into Friday. They are second in the Metropolitan Division, three points ahead of the third-place New York Islanders.