Michael Sauer ready to make comeback with New York Rangers in first home game -NHL News Update
New York fans are certainly excited about finally seeing their home team perform in front of them in a newly renovated Madison Square Garden, but that is not the only new thing they will be witnessing. Rangers defenseman, Michael Sauer, is also ready to make his debut during their eighth matchup of the 2011-2012 National Hockey League (NHL) regular season.
Sauer, a 24-year-old defender, missed the last five games with the New York Rangers due to a nagging shoulder injury which he sustained during a match in the 2011 preseason and will be playing his second match since participating in Stockholm, Sweden, against the Anaheim Ducks.
"Most definitely, I'm ready to go. I got cleared so I'll be out there for sure", Sauer said after skating in the team's recently renovated arena for the first time Wednesday.
The Rangers have been playing with a normal momentum, but ever since they returned to North America after two straight losses overseas, the Rangers have shown a significant improvement in their game and hope to continue winning for a much better record at the end of this season, and having Sauer back on the line-up, the team believes it is possible.
"It's going to be huge for us", said second-year defenseman Ryan McDonagh, who has stepped up in Sauer's absence. "He's rock-solid back there and it's going to stabilize our back end".
With Michael Sauer, his comeback is not easy since he will have to ensure to avoid as much contact as possible at the moment in order to stay away from problems that can occur later on.
"Right now, I feel great functionally -- I was out there taking slapshots -- it's just a matter of feel, but the shoulder's strong so that's what matters", Sauer added about his condition.
Drafted as the 40th overall pick during round-two of the 2005 NHL Entry Draft, the St. Cloud, Minnesota, United States, Sauer is currently in his third straight season with his original draft team.
Last season, Sauer put up 15 points (3 goals, 12 assists), in 76 games played and hopes to do much better this time around.
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