Bobby Bevilacqua

Mats Zuccarello was back on the ice for an optional skate Thursday afternoon, which is a very good sign for Rangers fans. Photo courtesy of MSG Photos.

Thursday wound up being an off day for the Rangers’ skaters, but the team’s extra players all skated, which means Ryan Bourque, Chris Summers, Matt Hunwick and Cam Talbot. But this afternoon, there was another face on the ice, injured winger Mats Zuccarello.

Zuccarello has been out of the lineup since the conclusion of the series against the Penguins, when he was struck in the head with a puck in Game 5. It’s likely that he is sidelined with a concussion, although the team has not said anything about his injury.

Zucarello was in full gear for the optional skate, shooting on Cam Talbot and skating with Hunwick, Bourque and Summers. There wasn’t any contact, but seeing him skate, shoot and participate in basic drills is very encouraging. Read the rest of this entry →