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Rangers announce Vesey out with concussion, Staal out with cervical strain

The New York Rangers are set to face-off against the Dallas Stars tonight without Marc Staal and Jimmy Vesey. Both were injured on Saturday against the Nashville Predators.

Staal, who is out with a cervical strain, left Saturday’s game after being hit into the boards by Alexei Emelin. There was no penalty called on the play, nor any supplemental discipline.

Staal’s cervical sprain extends his lengthy injury history that most notably contains concussions and a severe eye injury. It’s the second injury of the season that will hold him out of the lineup, as he suffered a lower-body injury in January.

Steven Kampfer will be reinserted into the lineup in Dallas for Staal.

Vesey was injured shortly after Staal, on a check delivered by Filip Forsberg.

Not only did Vesey suffer superficial injuries with a bloodied mouth, but he sustained a concussion from the hit. He was removed from the game to undergo the concussion protocol.

There wasn’t a penalty called on this either, but Forsberg has been suspended three games for interference. The Department of Player Safety noted, “in addition to the lateness of the check, what elevates this hit to merit supplemental discipline is the significant head contact that occurs and the force with which it was delivered.”

Vinni Lettieri was recalled from Hartford to play in place of Vesey tonight; he also will absorb his spot on the second power play unit.

The Rangers’ list of injured players grows with Staal and Vesey, as they’re already without Chris Kreider, Kevin Shattenkirk, and Pavel Buchnevich.

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