Lundqvist back on ice but not quite game-ready

The Return of The King is near. Henrik Lundqvist participated in Monday’s Rangers practice, his first full-team, on-ice activity since straining a hip muscle in a road win against the Panthers on March 7. Lundqvist had been skating in recent days and taking shots.

While an exact return date is not yet clear, Alain Vigneault told reporters that he would “expect (Lundqvist) at some point” to play during the Rangers’ upcoming road trip in California.

“Physically I feel great,” Lundqvist told reporters. “It’s healed well. I feel I have the power that I need. Now it’s about getting the timing right and being on top of your game.”

The Rangers (45-24-3) play the Devils (26-33-12) in Newark on Tuesday and host the Islanders Wednesday before heading out west for a three-game swing that begins Saturday against the Kings, continues the next night against the Ducks on Sunday and finishes against the Sharks next Tuesday. After that the Blueshirts have five games left before the playoffs.

Lundqvist injured his hip in the first period of that win over the Panthers but finished the game and made a total of 43 saves. On March 11, he was ruled out for two-tothree weeks.

He said he’s been increasing the amount of time he's spending on the ice each day and progressively working harder, but goaltending coach Benoit Allaire has made sure Lundqvist isn’t overworking himself.

“Benny’s kind of the police there and kind of tells me to get off the ice even though I want to stay out there,” Lundqvist said.

Both Dan Girardi (ankle) and Kevin Klein (back) practiced and are medically cleared, per Vigneault, who said both defensemen will travel with the team to California. They won’t play Tuesday. Ryan McDonagh received a maintenance day Monday but will play in New Jersey.

Entering Monday, the Rangers’ magic number to clinch a playoff spot was eight, which was either eight points gained by them or lost by the Islanders (33-26-12,) who early Monday were one point behind the Maple Leafs for the second wild-card spot in the East.

Six of the Rangers’ final 10 games are on the road, including Tuesday’s game. Their 26 road wins are five shy of the NHL record for road wins in a single season set by the Red Wings in the 2005-06 season.