That’s great news considering all the speculation that he could be out longer. Thankfully, the Rangers lucked out on their gritty leader. In a shortened season, they can ill afford to lose a player as valuable as Captain Cally for an extended period.

“I don’t think you fill his role,” coach John Tortorella told reporters following yesterday’s practice. “I felt that in the third period last night when we were protecting the lead, that’s a very big part of his game. So it comes through the team, through the team concept. Every team goes through the injuries, and just playing that much better in the situations that he’s been put in through his career, it needs to be done as a group.”

Last year, Callahan missed six games. He established career highs in goals (29), points (54) and paced the Rangers in power play goals (13) and tied with Brad Richards for game-winners (9). Ironically, he scored his second of the season on the power play, resulting in the winner.

Without him, the Rangers will miss his energy. Callahan is one of the top hitters in the league and his physical style is an integral part of our fore check. It’ll be interesting to see how Tortorella goes about it. Can he keep the top line together?

It depends on the second line of Taylor Pyatt, Derek Stepan and Carl Hagelin. Hagelin is without a point in the first six. Outside of a minor penalty, he was better the other night, registering four shots. Stepan has four assists but hasn’t scored. He was robbed by Ilya Bryzgalov. Pyatt has three goals.

Nash Time: Rick Nash has six points thus far but only one goal. It’s not due to chances. He’s been one of the team’s best players, creating offense for others like on Callahan’s goal. A play he started with Mike Del Zotto making a sweet dish for Cally’s second. Nash will be looked upon for leadership. Once he gets one, figure the puck to start going in with regularity.