Drury was taken out of the lineup in the first week of training camp with a broken left index finger.
He first thought he might be able to play the home opener, when skating with the team for warmups last Saturday morning before the season opener at Buffalo.
On Wednesday, Drury skated in team practice and based on his performance it was decided by team coach John Tortorella that he would play on Friday.
“No one likes to miss games, and you don’t like to start the season in the stands,” Drury told www.rangers.nhl.com. “Certainly it’s been something new to me, but overall I feel pretty good and am excited to get going.”
Season So Far
New York beat Buffalo 6–3, thanks to rookie sensation Derek Stepan.
Stepan scored a hat trick in his NHL debut for the Rangers. The Rangers drafted Stepan in the 2008 draft as the 51st pick overall. He’s been playing for the University of Wisconsin for the last two years.
After the big performance from the Rangers rookie, the Blueshirts suffered their first lost to the New York Islanders on Monday afternoon at Nassau Coliseum 6–4.
Much of that game was dictated by penalties. Late in the third period, the Islanders tied the game and took the lead on a couple of power play goals.
Up next, are the resurgent Toronto Maple Leafs. They finished 29th out of 30 teams last season and haven’t made the playoffs since 2004. But they are coming off a big win over Sidney Crosby and the Penguins in Pittsburgh.
The Rangers fared well against the Maple Leafs last season going 3–1. Given the performance from the Leafs in this first week of season play, the Rangers will have their hands full.
The Rangers must be optimistic with additions like Derek Stepan. Last season, they were just one point away from making it to the playoffs. The Rangers have only five players on the roster who are in their 30s.
A new season of Rangers hockey begins at Madison Square Garden on Friday.
