The struggling Rangers, who are 3-6-5 since Thanksgiving, are "very close" to getting three key players back from injury, according to head coach David Quinn.
Defenseman Kevin Shattenkirk and forwards Jesper Fast and Cody McLeod could all return to the lineup for Saturday's game against the Nashville Predators, Quinn said Thursday.
Shattenkirk, who separated his left shoudlder on Dec. 10, was a full participant at Thursday's morning skate. New York is 1-1-4 in the six games Shattenkirk has missed, holding opponents to fewer than two goals just once in that span.
Fast suffered an upper-body injury on Dec. 14 but has skated with the team at morning skate as well. Prior to the NHL's Christmas break, Fast, who has tallied three goals and eight assists in 31 games, wore a non-contact jersey.
McLeod, meanwhile, has been out since Nov. 21 when he suffered a broken hand in a fight during a game against the Islanders. He has one goal in 16 games this season.