In Denver, Ryan Lindgren’s swift recovery has astounded even himself. A mere week and a half ago, the 26-year-old defenseman collided with the Islanders’ Jean-Gabriel Pageau, causing him to awkwardly fall on his leg. Initially fearful of the worst, Lindgren’s fears were somewhat alleviated after medical examinations revealed the injury wasn’t as severe as anticipated. Yet, no one foresaw Lindgren’s return to the Rangers’ lineup just 11 days later, ready to face the Avalanche at Ball Arena.
Reflecting on his rapid recovery, Lindgren admitted to being pleasantly surprised, acknowledging that he healed much quicker than expected. He resumed skating shortly after the injury, undergoing rigorous treatment and targeting the injured area in the weight room. Feeling good and eager to return to play, Lindgren saw no reason to delay his comeback any further.
Coach Peter Laviolette echoed Lindgren’s sentiment, emphasizing the importance of fielding players when they are deemed fully fit by the medical team. He stressed that once players are cleared to play, it makes little sense to keep them sidelined, provided there is no risk to their well-being.
For Lindgren, his swift return to the lineup is reminiscent of last season’s shoulder injury, where he missed a significant portion of games before returning for the Rangers’ playoff series against the Devils. This time, Lindgren is poised to benefit from a more extended recovery period, which he believes will greatly aid in getting back into his game.
With Lindgren back in action alongside Adam Fox, the Rangers’ defensive lineup appears solid, despite missing two top-six defensemen. Jacob Trouba’s imminent return signals further reinforcement for the team, while Erik Gustafsson’s recovery timeline remains uncertain.
Lindgren’s resilience and quick bounce-backs have earned him admiration from teammates, who marvel at his seemingly indestructible nature. As Lindgren reclaims his role on the ice, his presence is once again felt as a vital asset to the team’s defensive efforts.