GREENBURGH, N.Y. — Pavel Buchnevich, the talented Russian rookie winger, was wearing a green practice jersey Thursday, but that wasn’t necessarily a good omen for St. Patrick’s Day.
With the return of Jesper Fast from a shoulder injury, the Rangers have 15 healthy forwards and Buchnevich was on a fifth line with extras Matt Puempel and Brandon Pirri, also wearing green. Only 12 will dress against the Florida Panthers on Friday at Madison Square Garden.
Coach Alain Vigneault said he was not “100 percent sure” about his lineup and wanted to watch Thursday night’s Panthers-Blue Jackets game and his team’s morning skate before deciding.