The New York Rangers have killed off 12 of their opponents' last 15 power plays over the past seven games. They enter today's game at the Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa with their penalty kill ranked ninth in the NHL, having allowed 23 goals on 144 chances (84.0 percent). "A lot of time, you shut down the opponent's power play it gives you an opportunity to win the game," defenseman Marc Staal said. "So we know if we give up one, we've got a lot of work to do to get it back. We don't like giving them up." Staal, center Dominic Moore, captain Ryan Callahan, defensemen Ryan McDonagh and Anton Stralman and left wings Brian Boyle and Carl Hagelin form the core of the Rangers' penalty kill stalwarts.

Marc Staal doesn't want to think about the possibility that he might be more likely than most to get head injuries. "You really can't," Staal said. "You play better when you think less. Just react when you get out on the ice and do what comes naturally to you." Staal has unfortunately suffered multiple concussions, including the one he'll be returning from on Tuesday.

Marc Staal is expected to return from his concussion on Tuesday. He told Rangers coach Alain Vigneault on Monday that he's ready to play. Staal has been out of action since Dec. 7. He doesn't offer much in terms of fantasy value, but he is a steady defensive-minded defenseman.

Marc Staal (concussion) took part in Sunday's morning skate. It marked the second straight day that he skated with his teammates. Staal hasn't ruled out being available to return as soon as Tuesday night in Florida, but a more likely date to come back could be Friday's match at Pittsburgh. "I'll practice again [today] and see how I feel," Staal said. "It's a five o'clock game [Tuesday], so I don't know. I've thought about it. I've got to see how everything goes. It's been a good week and a half." Either way it doesn't look like Staal will have to wait much longer to get back into the lineup.

New York Rangers defenseman Marc Staal (concussion) admits that he could play on New Year's Eve (Tuesday). Staal hasn't played since Dec. 7 against the New Jersey Devils, when Reid Boucher left him injured. The 26-year-old has three points, eight PIM and 30 SOG in 30 games played.

Marc Staal is on track to return to the Rangers' lineup at some point during the team's five-game road trip, which started in Washington Friday night and concludes a week from today in Toronto. "I don't want to get too far ahead of myself, but it is definitely not out of the question," the defenseman said. "It will be good to have a full practice. But knowing the types of steps it takes to get back, I'm on the right track." Staal has been sidelined since Dec. 7, when he sustained his second recorded concussion within 33 months. The alternate captain, who will turn 27 in a little over two weeks, has been skating since Dec. 21. "It will be good to bump a little in practice, but there's really no comparison to the hitting that goes on in a game," Staal said. "Once you have the confidence that you feel well enough to take a hit, you take that confidence into the game that you're going to be OK. Once I get my wind and my legs back, I'll re-assess and go from there." Staal is unlikely to play Sunday in Tampa, but he could return New Year's Eve in Sunrise, Fla., for the match against the Panthers.

Marc Staal (concussion) will travel with the Rangers on the team's upcoming five-game road trip. He has resumed skating while he recovers from a concussion he suffered on Dec. 7 and joining the team suggests that he could be practicing shortly, which is the next step.

Marc Staal (concussion) skated hard Monday morning. Staal has missed eight consecutive contests. There's no timetable for his return, but obviously the fact that he's ramping up his skating is encouraging.

Marc Staal skated on Saturday for the first time since he suffered a concussion on Dec. 7. "The same workout I did last week that I had a tough time with, I did this week and got through it fine," Staal said Sunday morning before going on the ice again. "It's a gauge and you just keep ramping it up as you feel better. That's what I've been doing." He hopes to hit the ice on Monday and continue working out during the NHL's break. There's no timetablee available for his return, though.

The New York Rangers have not had any updates on the condition of Marc Staal (concussion) of late. While there was an update on December 13 that stated Staal had been participating in off-ice conditioning for three days in a row, there has been nothing since so there is speculation that he has suffered a setback. Staal was injured on December 7 and should be considered out indefinitely at this time.