Henrik Lundqvist Injury: Updates on Rangers Goalie's Neck and Return | News, Scores, Highlights, Stats, and Rumors
Aria Murphy
Published Mar 24, 2026
Henrik Lundqvist is dealing with a neck injury that has kept him out of action since early February. He suffered the injury on January 31 but would go on to play another game before shutting it down. He was cleared to return to practice on March 17 and was made available on Thursday.
Continue for updates.
Saturday, March 28
Rangers Report reported that Lundqvist would be making his first start since Feb. 2 when the Rangers took on the Bruins on Saturday.
On March 27, Lunqvist spoke about his return to action:
Henrik Lundqvist @HLundqvist30Almost 2 months. It's been a roller coaster of emotions but happy to finally be back. Let's get it going, step by step.
On March 26, Lundqvist confirmed he would be available against Ottawa, per the Rangers on Twitter:
New York Rangers @NYRangers#NYR @hlundqvist30 just confirmed he will back up @ctalbot33 in Ottawa tomorrow "I'll be on the bench tomorrow..I'm excited to be back"
Larry Brooks of the New York Post reported earlier that Lundqvist will dress Thursday night when the Rangers take on Ottawa. Brooks later weighed in on the situation, saying, "Don't think Lundqvist would back-up two straight, so if he's on bench in Ottawa, guess is that he will start Saturday in Boston."
On March 24, Lundqvist told Pat Leonard of the New York Daily News that he hopes to play this weekend. The goaltender said he's physically ready to play but is preparing himself mentally for a return to the ice.
On March 16, Ken Campbell of The Hockey News reported that Lundqvist was originally targeting a March 24 return date.
Lundqvist Will Need 10 Days to Be Ready
Wednesday, March 18
The Rangers reported it will be up to Lundqvist to determine when he is ready to return:
New York Rangers @NYRangers#NYR Update: AV just reported that @HLundqvist30 took full range of shots from coaches today; it will be up to Henrik when he's able to play
Rick Carpiniello of The Journal News reported that he'll practice with a collar to protect his neck. Andrew Gross of The Record added:
Andrew Gross @AGrossNewsdayLundqvist said he met with doctors Monday and was cleared after Tuesday consultation. Blood vessel fully healed. No risk to play.
Brett Cyrgalis of the New York Post provided comments from Lundqvist: "I feel good. ... It's been six long weeks, but I'm excited to finally get back with the team and just get ready to play hockey."
Hockey is such a big part of my life and when you miss if for that long you feel a little off. Physically I feel great, so now it's about getting out there and getting the timing right, getting comfortable in practice and game situations.
When you're out this long, you start missing everything about the game. You miss coming to games and the pressure of the games; it made me appreciate the game even more.
Leonard reported Lundqvist will take part in the team's practices on Friday and next Wednesday.
Dan Rosen of NHL.com reported that Rangers general manager Glen Sather said Lundqvist will need 10 days to be fully ready to make his return to the Rangers lineup.
Rosen later provided more comments from Sather:
Sather said the key for Lundqvist is to get into some games before the start of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. The Rangers have 14 games remaining, so there is plenty of time for Lundqvist to get in and get up to speed.
"The other thing about this is we want him ready for the end of the year," Sather said. "We're going to make the playoffs. He's gotta get some games."
Lundqvist Speaks on Injury
Thursday, March 5
Leonard reported on Lundqvist's appearance on Live with Kelly and Michael, where he spoke about his injury and recovery:
“I feel good,” Lundqvist said. “It’s hard to know, though, how a blood vessel heals. So I just have to trust the doctors here. We constantly do check-ups. I’m skating on the ice now. I try to stay in shape, and as soon as they clear me for contact I want to be ready to play. But it’s tough. I’ve been out for a month.”
[...]
What was new was Lundqvist’s apparent clarification that the partially torn blood vessel occurred in the back of his neck as a result of his head snapping backward after being hit in the throat by a puck in that Jan. 31 match at the Garden.
“A stick came up and lifted my helmet, and at the same time I got hit by the puck on my neck, and in that moment I snapped my neck so hard that I sprained – they call it sprained – a blood vessel in my neck,” Lundqvist said, pointing to the back of his neck.
You can watch the appearance on the show's YouTube page:
Lundqvist Skates, No Reevaluation Exam Scheduled Yet
Monday, Feb. 23
Rangers head coach Alain Vigneault revealed that Lundqvist skated for 45 minutes on Monday and "took (low) shots," per the Rangers on Twitter. The team added, "No re-evaluation exam yet scheduled though."
On Feb. 18, Rick Carpiniello of The Journal News reported that Lundqvist was on the ice prior to the team's Wednesday practice and that there would be no further update on his condition.
Vigneault said that Lundqvist is coming along to protocol, via Brett Cyrgalis of the New York Post.
Lundqvist Comments on Injury
Saturday, Feb. 7
Lundqvist once again spoke on the state of his injury and how it was discovered by the team, via the Rangers and Leonard:
New York Rangers @NYRangers#NYR @HLundqvist30 calls his injury "a sprained blood vessel" and says "if I kept playing I could have had a stroke..right now have to rest"
Pat Leonard @PLeonardNYDNLundqvist said docs did two scans and many docs cleared him on 1st but a specialist saw something, they ran a 2nd scan, and caught it
On Feb. 7, Lundqvist took to Twitter on Saturday to provide an update to his fans regarding the injury:
Henrik Lundqvist @HLundqvist30First off, Thank you to all my friends and fans for all the well wishes! It's been a tough week but all the support gives me strength!
Henrik Lundqvist @HLundqvist30It's all under control and I feel better and better but right now I need some rest to heal. Thanks again for your support!
Henrik Lundqvist @HLundqvist30I can't be on the ice right now,it's disappointing. I'm focused on doing everything I can for a fast recovery with help from our great staff
Lundqvist Suffers Neck Injury
Friday, Feb. 6
New York Rangers goalie Henrik Lundqvist will reportedly miss at least a month of action due to a neck injury suffered when he was struck in the area by a shot last week.
Brooks reported that the exact nature of the ailment is unclear, but test results showed an injury that's going to keep the star out for an extended stretch. The Rangers have yet to confirm the timeline: "Sources have told The Post that Lundqvist did not develop a blood clot, nor is he is suffering from nerve damage or post-concussion symptoms. But whatever it is, it will require a recovery period of at least four weeks, if not longer."
InsideHockey.com's Seth Rothman added the Rangers' statement:
Andrew Gross of The Record noted head coach Alain Vigneault would only provide more short-term insight:
Andrew Gross @AGrossNewsdayAV says no updates on Lundqvist. Hank Not coming on the trip. AV will not confirm report that Lundqvist out a month.
The injury originally occurred last Saturday against the Carolina Hurricanes. He finished the contest and played Monday but was unable to shake off the injury. Further testing apparently showed he was going to need some time off to heal.
Lundqvist has been one of the best netminders in the NHL over the past decade. His numbers this season (2.25 goals-against average and .922 save percentage) are right in line with his career averages and rank inside the league's top 10.
Cam Talbot should see most of the work while Lundqvist is sidelined. The only silver lining for the Rangers is that they do have some cushion in the playoff race.
