Rangers defenseman Kevin Klein to miss 3-4 weeks with injury

Posted March 11, 2015 11:00 pm

The Associated Press

New York Rangers goalie Cam Talbot (33) and defenseman Kevin Klein (8) defend the net against New York Islanders center John Tavares (91) in the third period of an NHL hockey game Tuesday, March 10, 2015, in Uniondale, N.Y. The Rangers won 2-1. (AP Photo/Kathy Kmonicek) The Associated Press

NEW YORK (AP) - Rangers defenseman Kevin Klein will be out three to four weeks due to an undisclosed injury sustained when he was struck in the left arm by a shot taken by Washington's Alex Ovechkin.

The Rangers made the announcement Thursday, one day after Klein was injured with 19 seconds remaining in New York's 3-1 victory on Washington. Klein returned to New York to be re-evaluated by team doctors.

All the Rangers said Thursday was that the 30-year-old defenseman would be sidelined because of an upper-body injury.

New York, which took over first place in the NHL standings on Wednesday, has 16 games left in the regular season over the next four weeks. The Rangers' final game before the playoffs is at Washington on April 11.

Klein has played well this season, scoring nine goals and adding 17 assists with a plus-24 rating while playing in 65 of the Rangers' 66 games. His goals, four game-winning goals, and points are all career bests.

Matt Hunwick will likely replace Klein in the lineup. He has been a healthy scratch the past seven games and has played in only 40 games this season, recording no goals and eight assists.

New York Rangers center Derick Brassard, from left, defenseman Marc Staal, right wing Mats Zuccarello and defenseman Kevin Klein (8) celebrate a goal by Rick Nash in the third period of an NHL hockey game against the New York Islanders, Tuesday, March 10, 2015, in Uniondale, N.Y. The Rangers won 2-1. (AP Photo/Kathy Kmonicek) The Associated Press

New York Rangers right wing Kevin Hayes, back, defenseman Marc Staal (18) and defenseman Kevin Klein (8) celebrate Hayes's goal as New York Islanders left wing Matt Martin (17) and goalie Jaroslav Halak (41) look on in the second period of an NHL hockey game Tuesday, March 10, 2015, in Uniondale, N.Y. (AP Photo/Kathy Kmonicek) The Associated Press

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