Alain Vigneault’s team seems to be nearing full health with both Jesper Fast and Dan Girardi closing in on returns to the lineup.
The coach said Fast, sidelined for seven straight games since suffering a shoulder separation on a blow from Alex Ovechkin with 8:35 remaining in third period of the Blueshirts’ Feb. 28 defeat to the Capitals at the Garden, could be back as soon as this weekend.
“Jesper skated again today and is feeling much better,” Vigneault, whose team is home Friday against the Panthers and in Minnesota on Saturday, said before the Blueshirts lost to the Lightning at the Garden on Monday. “The next step is to see how he comes through a full practice with the team on Wednesday. My understanding is that he’s real close.”
There is no timetable for Girardi, who has missed eight games tending to the ankle injury he originally sustained blocking a shot Feb. 7, but the alternate captain received the go-ahead to begin skating on his own after visiting a specialist Monday.
“The vacuum came off,” said Vigneault, referring to the device used to close the open wound. “I just saw him walking in [to the Garden]. If weather permits, he should skate [Tuesday].”
Kevin Klein, dealing with a lower-back issue, missed his 11th straight Monday. Klein, who has not played since Feb. 21, would likely hold the fifth slot on the right side upon his return behind Ryan McDonagh (who has played so well paired with Marc Staal since moving to his off-side five games ago that it would seem silly to shift him back), Nick Holden, Girardi and Steven Kampfer.
Kampfer, who scored a goal against the Lightning, has been impressive on the third pair with Brady Skjei since his March 5 promotion from the AHL Wolf Pack.
“He skates well and makes good reads,” Vigneault said of the 5-foot-11, 28-year-old who was obtained from Florida for Dylan McIlrath in early November. “He’s not big, but he’s pretty physical and has played well in his one-on-ones.
“He’s been safe and dependable. He’s played well so far.”