Blais, out most of year, back on ice

RALEIGH, N.C. — Sammy Blais, who tore his ACL in mid-November, was back on the ice with the Rangers for their optional morning skate on Wednesday before their 2-1 overtime loss to the Hurricanes in Game 1 of their secondround playoff series.

“It’s a great sign,” head coach Gerard Gallant said. “He’s worked hard and he’s at that stage where he can start to skate now, which is awesome.”

So is Blais an option for the Rangers in these playoffs?

“It’s possible,” said Gallant, who added that he wasn’t going to rule Blais out for this series, but insinuated that it’s a long shot.

The 25-year-old winger had been skating on his own, according to Gallant, but Wednesday morning was his first time on the ice with the team since his injury. While it’s an encouraging sign, the Rangers would probably have to go much deeper into the playoffs in order for Blais to be ready to play.

Blais, who was part of the return package from the Blues in the Pavel Buchnevich trade this past offseason, underwent surgery on his torn ACL in mid-December after playing in just 14 games for the Rangers. His right knee was injured on a play in the corner with Devils defenseman P.K. Subban in the Rangers’ 4-3 shootout win on Nov. 14.

Due to the immense swelling in his knee, the surgery was put off for longer than expected and delayed his rehab.

A restricted free agent after this season, Blais was effective for the Rangers in his 14 games. He played wing on several lines, including the top unit, and showed flashes of an offensive upside that stemmed from having soft hands.

➤ In another injury update, Gallant said he doesn’t think Barclay Goodrow (week-to-week with a suspected foot/ankle fracture he suffered in Game 1 of Round 1) has started skating yet. Gallant didn’t rule Goodrow out for this series, but if he isn’t skating, it seems like a long shot for the utility forward to be healed in time.

Goodrow is still in a walking boot, but he is progressing. If the Rangers were to advance, there’s a possibility Goodrow would be able to play again this season.

➤ It was only fitting that the Kid Line got the Rangers on the board in Game 1. After serving as their most consistent unit through the first round against Pittsburgh, the trio of Filip Chytil, Alexis Lafreniere and Kaapo Kakko picked up right where they left off.

Lafreniere entered the Hurricanes’ zone courtesy of a giveaway from former Blueshirt Tony DeAngelo and dished to Chytil for the one-timer at 7:07. The trio has now combined for 10 points in these playoffs.