Derek Stepan will be out indefinitely after breaking his ribs during Friday’s loss to the Boston Bruins, head coach Alain Vigneault said.
The New York Rangers centre suffered the injury upon taking a late hit from Matt Beleskey in the second period. He was slow to get up, and though he attempted to stay in the game, he did not return to the ice for the third period.
The hit prompted a fight between the Rangers’ Dylan McIlrath and Beleskey. Both were sent to the penalty box for a fighting major, and McIlrath was also issued two minutes for instigating and a 10-minute misconduct.
Stepan, 25, has registered six goals and six assists in 23 games with the Rangers this season.