Henrik Lundqvist Injury: Updates on Rangers Star's Eye and Return

New York Rangers goaltender Henrik Lundqvist was replaced by Antti Raanta against the Pittsburgh Penguins on April 13 after he "took a stick near his eye in the final minute of the [first] period" in Game 1 of the teams' first-round playoff series, per Rotoworld.com. Lundqvist, however, is set for Game 2.

Continue for updates.

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Latest on Lundqvist's Playing Status

Saturday, April 16

Rangers head coach Alain Vigneault told reporters Lundqvist will play as the Rangers look to even the series.

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Lundqvist Comments on Injury, Status

Friday, April 15 

"After the hit, [my vision] was very blurry, and it was hard to focus," Lundqvist said, per Chris Johnston of Sportsnet.  

"For 20 or 30 seconds, I had some really bad thoughts going through my head. I'm just happy there's no damage," he said, per Frank Seravalli of TSN. Lundqvist added that there was no damage to his eye, just swelling and discomfort, according to Pat Leonard of the New York Daily News. 

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Latest on Lundqvist's Practice Status

Friday, April 15 

Andrew Gross of the Record reported Lundqvist worked with Rangers goalie coach Benoit Allaire during Friday's practice. 

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Vigneault Comments on Lundqvist's Injury

Thursday, April 14

Vigneault told reporters the team believed the injury wasn't serious and that there was swelling around Lundqvist's eye. Vigneault also said Lundqvist would see a specialist Thursday.

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Lundqvist Vital to Rangers' Postseason Run

Lundqvist is one of the better goaltenders in the NHL. His regular-season goals-against average was up slightly from what it was a year ago, as he allowed 2.25 goals per game in 2014-15 compared to 2.48 this season. His save percentage, meanwhile, was .920 after it was .922 last season.

According to Hockey-Reference.com, Lundqvist also boasts a .609 quality-start percentage, and his 94 goals-against percentage is better than the league average.

The 34-year-old last missed several games while dealing with neck spasms. Raanta has filled in capably for Lundqvist this year, but most Rangers fans would agree the team's best shot to win the Stanley Cup comes with King Henrik on the ice.

Lundqvist has performed particularly well in the postseason, allowing 2.14 goals per game or fewer in each of New York's previous four trips, and for his career, he boasts a 2.22 goals-against average and .923 save percentage in the playoffs. He did, however, surrender a goal to the Penguins on Wednesday.