Shattenkirk sidelined 2-4 weeks with shoulder injury
Kevin Shattenkirk’s unlucky streak continues in New York, as the New York Rangers have announced that he’ll be sidelined for two-to-four weeks with a separated shoulder.
OFFICIAL: #NYR defenseman Kevin Shattenkirk will be sidelined for two-to-four weeks with a shoulder separation suffered on Monday, Dec. 10 against Tampa Bay.
— New York Rangers (@NYRangers) December 12, 2018
Shattenkirk sustained that shoulder injury against the Tampa Bay Lightning on Monday after being hit by former Ranger J.T. Miller in the second period. He left the game following the hit and did not return.
Since joining his hometown team, nothing has gone according to plan for Shattenkirk. This injury can be chalked up as yet another hurdle for the defender, who was out for half of the season last year after playing through a torn meniscus, and needed time to get readjusted to game speed this year. That time cost him a place on the first power play unit and has impacted his production this season.
In Neal Pionk and Tony DeAngelo, the Rangers will still have two offensive-minded right-handed shots on the blue line. But to replace his open spot in the lineup, Brendan Smith, who was a healthy scratch the last two games after suffering an upper body injury, is the most likely defender to slot back in. Adam McQuaid could also claim it once he’s returned from a core injury.