SAN JOSE, Calif. — The Rangers canceled a scheduled full-team practice in Anaheim on Wednesday, but injured center Kevin Hayes did manage to get some on-ice work when he skated with the extras. It still remains unclear whether Hayes is going to be ready for the final leg of this four-game road trip, facing the Sharks on Thursday.
Hayes has missed the past six games with a leg contusion. He did partially take part in a morning skate in Anaheim on Tuesday, but was unable to play. The original plan was for Hayes to take part in the full practice on Wednesday and then see how he reacted, but coach Alain Vigneault decided to cancel the on-ice workout. Instead, Hayes skated with Ondrej Pavelec, Steven Kampfer and Daniel Catenacci.
The Rangers have gone 0-3 on this trip, and certainly could use Hayes back in the lineup. He was originally hurt Jan. 7, in the final game before the five-day bye week. He then played the first game back, against the Islanders on Jan. 13, when the pain came back and he realized he needed to rest.
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It’s difficult to guess who might come out for Hayes if he does return. J.T. Miller had been playing center, but Vigneault benched him for the final two periods Tuesday after a ghastly first-period turnover. After the game, Vigneault explained it by saying, “I’d seen enough.”
The Rangers penalty kill was again disappointing against the Ducks, allowing Anaheim to go 2-for-6 on the power play after they allowed the Kings’ man-advantage to go 3-for-3 in Los Angeles on Sunday night. They have allowed seven power-play goals in the past four games and they have gone from being ranked second in the league to 16th (81.5 percent).
“It’s something that I pride myself on, the PK,” Rick Nash said, “so we have to get it back clicking.”
There have been some unfortunate bounces during this stretch, with a Marc Staal clearing attempt that hit Nash in the skate against the Kings, and with Corey Perry threading his way behind the defense for a breakaway on Tuesday. They also got their second shorthanded goal of the season, coming from Michael Grabner at 15:53 of the second period which cut their deficit to 4-3.
“Special teams played a big part,” goalie Henrik Lundqvist said. “Power-play goals, shorthanded goals, both ways.”
Nash did score a power-play goal for the Rangers, the third straight game they have scored on the man-advantage. They’re 3-for-8 during that stretch, and are ranked 14th in the league (19.9 percent). But they also did give up a shorthanded goal to former Devil Adam Henrique, which came off the Miller turnover that got him benched late in the first period.
Nash has six goals in his past five games, and now has 15 on the season. He is second on the team, behind only Grabner’s 21.