SUNRISE, Fla. — Center David Desharnais, who joined the Rangers during the summer, was supposed to be a healthy scratch against the Panthers, skating with the spares on Saturday morning.
Paul Carey was going to sub for him, but Desharnais wound up playing on the third line when Boo Nieves came down with the flu.
Desharnais had two goals and five assists in 14 games, including assists in two of the last three games. Coach Alain Vigneault said he wanted Carey, the 13th forward, to get in a game.
Carey, who made the team out of camp, hasn’t played since Oct.