Lundqvist To Back Up Talbot During Rangers' Game In Ottawa On Thursday

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- He's back, sort of.

Henrik Lundqvist told reporters on Wednesday that he will dress for Thursday night's game in Ottawa, but will be the backup to Cam Talbot.

"I can feel every day is definitely a step in the right direction," Lundqvist said. "I feel more and more comfortable and I'm reading the guys better."

Lundqvist said he's lucky he's been able to skate for more than a month while recovering from the neck injury that has forced him to miss a slew of games since the beginning of February.

"I don't feel a difference from day to day. It's more, maybe just being comfortable, seeing the shots and the speed," he said. "Physically I feel the same every day and I feel like I'm in a good spot when it comes to my energy level and having the legs."

To make room on the roster for Lundqvist, the Rangers reassigned rookie goalie Mackenzie Skapski to the AHL's Hartford Wolf Pack.

Lundqvist, who is 25-11-3 with a 2.25 goals-against average and a .922 save percentage, was hit in the neck by a shot by Carolina's Brad Malone back on Jan. 31. He finished the game and played again on Feb. 2. Further tests revealed the severity of the injury, which included the risk of a stroke.

Due in part to the stellar play of Talbot, the Rangers have gone 17-4-3 in Lundqvist's absence, rocketing into first place in the Metropolitan Division. Currently with 99 points, New York is challenging for the top spot in the Eastern Conference and the Presidents Trophy, awarded to the team with the most points at the end of the regular season.

The Blueshirts, however, are coming off a 4-2 home loss to the defending champion Los Angeles Kings on Tuesday.

"It will be a good feeling to get back on the bench and we'll take it from there," Lundqvist said. "It's just good to be in the locker room and get the game feeling back and then we'll see what game I'll play over the weekend."

The Rangers play in Boston on Saturday and host Washington on Sunday. Lundqvist said he plans to skate Thursday morning.

"I don't expect myself to be perfect right away, but I'm going to battle and try to be really focused on the right things when I start playing, whenever that is. I think it's important too you don't overthink it, just go out and play."