Artemi Panarin could make his long-awaited return to the Rangers on Saturday afternoon.
Head coach David Quinn spoke with reporters on Friday and said the Hart Trophy finalist is "in the mix" to play in New York's game against the Bruins. Panarin hasn't played since taking a leave of absence from the team on Feb. 22 after allegations of assault out of Russia led to the team expressing their support for Panarin, who they believed was a victim of a fabricated story after Panarin expressed support for Russian president Vladimir Putin's opposition.
Panarin made his return to the team earlier this week and skated in team practice on Friday.
While Panarin could make his return, goalie Igor Shesterkin remains out, as Keith Kinkaid will get the start on Saturday. Shesterkin is still nursing what the team described as a "mild groin strain," which forced him to leave last week's game against the Devils after a non-contact injury.
Saturday will be Kinkaid's second start for the Rangers.
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