Is Ryan Lindgren playing tonight against the Buffalo Sabres? Latest injury update ahead of March 31, 2023 matchup

New York Rangers defenseman Ryan Lindgren will likely miss his fifth straight game on Friday (March 31) as the team takes on the New Jersey Devils. Lindgren, who is dealing with an upper-body injury, is considered a game-time decision for the contest.

Lindgren has been a key member of the Rangers' defensive corps this season, tallying one goal and 18 points in 58 games. His physicality and defensive awareness have been crucial for the team's success, and his absence will be felt on the ice.

It is unclear when Lindgren will be ready to return to the lineup, but the Rangers will need him back as soon as possible. In the meantime, Ben Harpur may serve as a healthy scratch in his absence.

The Rangers will have to adjust their defensive pairings without Lindgren in the lineup, but they have a deep group of defensemen who will be ready to step up and fill the void. Jacob Trouba and Adam Fox will likely be relied upon heavily in Lindgren's absence, as they have been two of the team's most reliable blueliners all season.

Looking ahead to Friday's game against the Buffalo Sabres at 7 p.m. ET, Lindgren's absence will be a blow for the Rangers, but they will still have plenty of talent on the ice.

A look at Ryan Lindgren's sporting career and his contract extension

Ryan Lindgren is a young, promising defenseman in the NHL who has made a name for himself as a physical and defensively-minded player. Lindgren was drafted by the Boston Bruins in the second round of the 2016 NHL Entry Draft but was later traded to the New York Rangers in 2018.

Lindgren made his NHL debut with the Rangers on January 15, 2019, in a game against the Carolina Hurricanes. After playing in three games, he was returned to the Hartford Wolf Pack, the Rangers' American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate. Lindgren continued to hone his skills with the Wolf Pack, but his time in the AHL was short-lived.

In the 2019-2020 season, Lindgren earned a full-time spot on the Rangers' roster. He played in 60 games and established himself as a physical presence on the blue line. He recorded nine points and was a plus-7 in his rookie season, earning praise from his teammates and coaches for his work ethic and dedication to the game.

Ryan Lindgren's play continued to improve in the following season, as he played in 50 games and recorded 12 points. He maintained his status as one of the Rangers' most reliable defenders. His defensive prowess and physicality were especially important for the team, as they battled injuries and inconsistency throughout the season.

On May 10, 2021, Ryan Lindgren signed a three-year contract extension with the Rangers, solidifying his place on the team for the foreseeable future. The contract reflected Lindgren's importance to the Rangers' defense. He has the potential to develop into an even more impactful player in the coming years.