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Kevin Klein out for Rangers' opener vs. Islanders

GREENBURGH, N.Y. — The Rangers almost made it through without an injury to alter the opening-night roster, but not quite.

Top-four defenseman Kevin Klein has a back strain which will keep him sidelined for Thursday’s season-opener against the Islanders at Madison Square Garden.

After complaining of spasms, Klein underwent an MRI and missed his third consecutive practice on Wednesday, and head coach Alain Vigneault ruled him out.

Klein, 31 and in his fourth season with the Blueshirts, is listed as day-to-day, and it is unclear whether he will recover adequately enough to dress in the road opener in St.