UNIONDALE, N.Y. — Star forward Marian Gaborik was ruled out of the New York Rangers' game against the New York Islanders on Wednesday because of an undisclosed injury sustained earlier this week.
Gaborik, the NHL's third-leading scorer with 18 points, was injured late in the third period Monday of the Rangers' 5-2 victory over Phoenix after he collided with a Coyotes player. He didn't finish the game, but said then he wasn't concerned about the injury.
However, he didn't skate with his teammates Wednesday morning, and New York coach John Tortorella said Gaborik wouldn't play that night.
The Rangers didn't disclose details of the injury, but said it wasn't related to previous major ailments to his hip or groin. Tortorella also declined to discuss how much time Gaborik might miss.
"He won't be playing tonight," Tortorella said. "I'm not going to get into an explanation of his injury, but it's not from anything prior."
The Rangers are expected to have No. 1 goalie Henrik Lundqvist in the nets on Wednesday night, one day after he was involved in a minor car accident on his way to practice. Lundqvist took part in the morning skate on Long Island and said he was fine to play.
P.A. Parenteau, recalled from Hartford of the AHL on Tuesday, will take Gaborik's place in the lineup against the Islanders. In nine games this season with Hartford, Parenteau has a league-best eight goals and is tied for the AHL lead with 14 points.
Parenteau, who has never played a regular-season game with the Rangers, has five games of NHL experience. He posted one assist and two penalty minutes with the Chicago Blackhawks in the 2006-07 season.
Gaborik was limited to 17 games last season due to hip surgery and problems with his groin. After making his late-season debut in March, Gaborik put up 13 goals and 23 points.
That was enough evidence of his restored health to entice the Rangers to sign the 27-year-old winger to a five-year, $37.5 million deal. He has paid instant dividends by scoring 10 goals – second most in the NHL – and adding eight assists in only 12 games.
Gaborik had two goals and an assist against the Coyotes before being forced out of the game.
"It's nothing related to my groin or hip or torso," Gaborik said Monday. "I collided with one of their players, but it's nothing major. It happened with about five minutes left, and the game was pretty much over."
