New York Rangers News: Kevin Klein Out 2-3 Weeks With Oblique Strain

The injuries are starting the pile up for the New York Rangers.

After leaving last night's game with an undisclosed injury, Kevin Klein will miss the next 2-3 weeks after suffering an oblique strain against the Carolina Hurricanes. Klein left the game late in the first period in some obvious pain, and did not return for the final 40 minutes of play. The Rangers are already missing Derek Stepan for the next 4-6 weeks, and now with Klein out, the Rangers will have to make some adjustments moving forward.

Klein has been one of the Rangers' most consistent defenseman thus far, and losing him for the next 2-3 weeks will be a huge obstacle to overcome . However, there is some silver lining, and that will be Dylan McIlrath finally getting a full-time spot within the top-six. McIlrath has played extremely well in his limited role this season, and has brought a whole new dimension to the Rangers that they haven't had in quite a while.

At the moment, the Rangers don't have any immediate plans to recall an extra defenseman, but that is expected to change later on in the week. The Rangers will be heading on a three game Western Canada road trip starting next Wednesday, and two extra players (a forward and a defenseman) will likely be taken as a precaution. In order for those moves to be made, though, Stepan must be placed on LTIR to free up the necessary cap space.

The two obvious choices here are Jayson Megna, and potentially Brady Skjei, if Vigneault plans on giving him some sort of playing time. For now, though, the Rangers will look to prepare for an upcoming battle with the New York Islanders.

Dylan McIlrath will be playing, and that should make for some fun times. Thoughts?