Injury Notes: Lindgren, Asplund, Stalock

New York Rangers defenseman Ryan Lindgren is out day-to-day with an upper-body injury, according to Larry Brooks of the New York Post. Lindgren sustained the injury in a collision with an Edmonton Oilers player during yesterday’s loss.

The 24-year-old is a crucial defensive piece for the Rangers. While he’s averaged under 18 minutes per game this year, he remains on the team’s top defense pairing with Adam Fox. The Rangers’ defensive numbers are significantly worse without Lindgren in the lineup, and with the team just outside of a playoff spot post-Thanksgiving, they’ll need all hands on deck to avoid falling too far out of the race. Zachary Jones is the extra defenseman on the active roster.

• According to Buffalo Sabres head coach Don Granato, forward Rasmus Asplund has been cleared to return to play. The defensive forward has been out with an upper-body injury for the past four days. Asplund has two goals, four assists, and six points in 17 contests this season, and could draw in for Vinnie Hinostroza when the Sabres host the Tampa Bay Lightning tomorrow.
• Chicago Blackhawks goalie Alex Stalock is working his way back from a concussion, as NBC Sports Chicago’s Charlie Roumeliotis reports the netminder was on the ice for morning skate. After an impressive .914 save percentage through seven games, Stalock has been in concussion protocol since sustaining an injury against the New York Islanders on November 1. It would likely mean the team sends Arvid Soderblom back to the minors, but he’s outperformed veteran Petr Mrazek (1-4-1, .885 save percentage). While a long shot, the Blackhawks could opt to waive Mrazek upon Stalock’s return.