New York Rangers forward Boo Nieves left Friday’s tilt against the Detroit Red Wings with a lower-body injury. Nieves left the second period 2:53 in.
Rangers Forward Boo Nieves Out with Lower Body Injury
The Rangers will be down a forward as Nieves exited Friday night’s game with a lower-body injury. The recent call-up from the Hartford Wolf Pack was favoring an undisclosed injury in the second half of the first period and ultimately exited the game. The timetable for his return is unknown.
Nieves was called up to the Rangers on October 24th to play the Arizona Coyotes at Madison Square Garden. He registered three assists for three points on centering a line with Pavel Buchnevich and Michael Grabner. Both assists accompanied Buchnevich’s two goals. The three were all named stars of the game.
Despite his glittering debut, he has no points since. With Hartford this season he also earned three points. In 40 games with the Wolf Pack last season he tallied 18 points including six goals. A University of Michigan alumni, Nieves earned 109 points in his four collegiate seasons. Nieves also served as assistant captain during his senior season with Michigan.
In Nieves’ absence, the Rangers will likely call up another Wolf Pack forward. Vinni Lettieri is a rumored favorite for the fill-in assignment. Lettieri had a great training camp with the Rangers this preseason. Lettieri has 13 points, including eight goals in Hartford this season. The Rangers are already thin on choices for center deployment, Nieves’ absence will require flexibility from the rest of the Rangers forwards.
One of those players will definitely be J.T. Miller who has matured greatly to enter the 2017-18 season. Miller’s strong play has been visibly eager to get on the board for the Rangers lately, though he’s been short on puck luck. Miller has 16 points in 22 games this season. His last goal was November 2nd against the Tampa Bay Lightning.
Nieves will join Captain Ryan McDonagh on the Rangers injury list.
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