Matthew Lombardi suffered a groin injury at Sunday's practice and won't be available for at least the next two preseason games, Pat Leonard of the New York Daily News reports.

Lombardi suffered a groin injury at Sunday's practice and won't be available for at least the next two preseason games, Pat Leonard of the New York Daily News reports.

Analysis:

The Rangers were already in a bind at center with Derek Stepan likely out until late October with a fractured fibula, and Lombardi's injury will only further test the team's depth. Lombardi wasn't having an especially strong training camp, and the injury could effectively take him out of the running to fill the opening in the top six. Opportunity knocks for young forwards Oscar Lindberg, J.T. Miller and Kevin Hayes.