Staal is a healthy scratch for the first time in 13-year career!

Ryan Lindgren is coming into the New York Rangers’ lineup tonight as they face the Tampa Bay Lightning, however, this meant that another defenseman would sit. 

Head coach David Quinn has made his decision and Larry Brooks of the New York Post has just announced that Marc Staal is the one who gets the boot tonight. 

The veteran blue liner is a healthy scratch for the first time in his 13-year career in the NHL. 

When you look at the stats, Staal is the team’s worst defenseman for giving up shots to the opposition. He ranks third on the team in minutes to Jacob Trouba and Brady Skjei.

However, he is well liked in the dressing room. This will send quite the message to the Blue Shirts…