Mika Zibanejad and Pavel Buchnevich already were down for a long count. Now, Rick Nash (groin, expected to miss approximately one week) and Matt Puempel (concussion) have joined them on the sideline. And Jimmy Vesey, who did not skate at Wednesday’s practice while nursing an undisclosed upper-body injury (which The Post has learned is unrelated to a slash he took on the forearm Tuesday against the Islanders) is questionable for this back-to-back, two-game swing through Winnipeg and Chicago that commences Thursday against the Jets.
So, the Rangers are severely wounded up front. But as coach Alain Vigneault pointed out, those absences create opportunities for others.