Date set for goalie pad switch

DETROIT — Now there is a date when the next round of the somewhat nonsensical NHL versus goalie equipment bout continues.

The league sent a memo to teams earlier this week stating by Feb. 4, all goalies will have to wear the newlysized pants, which have less padding around the hips and are tighter around the thighs. Goaltenders around the league knew this was coming, though they never had a concrete date set.

The Rangers’ Henrik Lundqvist was planning on wearing them for a few practices before putting them into game action as late as possible. He again stressed after Saturday’s practice in Westchester the focus of the league should be to increase scoring chances, not necessarily goals.

“There are lot of goals in the AllStar Game,” Lundqvist said. “Is that a good game?”

As Lundqvist was set to play in his ninth straight game, his backup was set to be Magnus Hellberg, the hulking Swede who was called up after regular understudy Antti Raanta went down with a lower-body injury, likely keeping him out through the All-Star break next weekend.

Hellberg stands 6-foot-6 and has been using the new pants for a while, including at Saturday’s practice. He explained because the pants are tighter, they have to be worn higher up on the hips, and that could expose the top of knee, as well.

The league last changed goalie equipment three years ago, when the NHL cut down the side of the leg pads — and scoring stayed stagnant. Meanwhile, the average goals per game has gone up slightly this season, from 5.34 last season to 5.42.

➤ Defenseman Marc Staal skated by himself again Saturday as he continues to recover from post-concussion symptoms that have kept him out since Jan. 3.

“Nothing new to report, just continuing to follow the protocol,” coach Alain Vigneault said. “When the medical staff tells me that he’s good to join us, I’ll be very happy.”

➤ Forward Matt Puempel practiced fully, having been cleared for contact after his absence since Dec. 31 due to a concussion. He likely will remain out of the lineup on Sunday, as Vigneault will stick with the same 18 skaters.