Stepan (illness) will return to the lineup Sunday against the Maple Leafs. Stepan missed Saturday's contest due to the illness, but his return to health was quick enough, as he is back in the lineup again Sunday for a matchup with Toronto. The 24-year-old center has 34 points (nine goals, 25 assists) in 36 games this season, and will look to add to his totals against against a porous Maple Leafs' defense allowing 3.02 goals per game.

Coach Alain Vigneault said that he expects to have Stepan (flu) available for Sunday's game against the Stars, Andrew Gross of The Record reports. It was announced just a few hours before Saturday's loss to the Predators that Stepan had been dealing with an illness and would be unable to play. Fortunately, it sounds like the worst of Stepan's symptoms could be behind him, but the Rangers probably won't have a firm declaration on the center's status until reevaluating him Sunday morning. The Rangers lost Jasper Fast to a knee sprain Saturday, and with Stepan's status also unclear, don't be surprised if the team calls up a forward from AHL Hartford prior to Sunday's match.

Stepan (flu) has been ruled out for Saturday's game against the Predators, Pat Leonard of the New York Daily News reports. Stepan didn't even take part in warmups for the Rangers, so he'll presumably rest up at the team hotel as he looks to nurse himself back to full health. The Rangers will likely check back on his condition Sunday morning before determining if he'll be fit to play later that evening against the Stars. Lee Stempniak will join the lineup in place of Stepan on Saturday.

Coach Alain Vigneault said that Stepan is dealing with the flu and is "less than 50-50" to play Saturday against the Predators, Steve Zipay of Newsday reports. It sounds like Stepan might have woke up feeling ill, as there was no indication at Friday's practice that he was under the weather. With Saturday's game kicking off at 3:00 ET, it's difficult to envision Stepan returning to full strength by that time. His status should be officially clarified during pregame warmups, with Lee Stempniak expected to assume Stepan's lineup spot.

Stepan logged an assist in Monday's 6-3 win over Florida. Despite logging his first point in three games, the 24-year-old center is enjoying his best season to date with a near point-per-game (33 points in 35 games) average. If you're lucky enough to own him, start with confidence nightly.

Stepan netted a pair of goals in Sunday's 5-2 win over the Penguins. Stepan's getting into a bit of a groove as he's now recorded a multi-point effort in consecutive games and in five of his last 10 contests. He missed time at the beginning of the season, but the 24-year-old is now at a better than point-per-game rate with 31 through 30 contests and should be continued to be counted on to keep producing.

Stepan dished out a pair of assists in Friday's win over the Blue Jackets. If you're having passing problems, Stepan feels bad for you son...Stepan's got 99 problems, but his sauce ain't one. The 24-year-old now has six goals and 23 assists in 29 games, to go with a plus-11 rating. With four multi-point efforts in his last nine outings, the second-line center provides great value in almost all formats. He's money on a Rangers' team that has won nine of their past 13 games. Keep him rolling.

Stepan (upper body) will play Friday against Columbus. With Stepan -- who had been a game-time decision -- in action, J.T. Miller was scratched from the Rangers' lineup on Friday.

Stepan (upper body) skated with Chris Kreider and Martin St. Louis during line rushes in advance of Friday's game against Columbus, Andrew Gross of The Record reports. J.T. Miller was the odd man out in line rushes, so it looks like Stepan -- who was sporting an 'A' on his jersey during warmups -- should be a go Friday night.

Stepan (upper body) is a game-time decision for Friday's game against Columbus, Andrew Gross of The Record reports. Stepan, who sat out Thursday's game against the Bruins, skated Friday morning and evidently has a chance to return to action Friday night after missing just one contest.