Henrik Lundqvist (neck) was activated from long-term injured reserve Wednesday and will serve as the backup goalie for Thursday's game against the Senators, Andrew Gross of The Record reports.

Lundqvist (neck) was activated from long-term injured reserve Wednesday and will serve as the backup goalie for Thursday's game against the Senators, Andrew Gross of The Record reports.

Analysis:

Confirming what was apparent after backup goalie Mackenzie Skapski was demoted to AHL Hartford earlier in the day, coach Alain Vigneault said that Lundqvist is ready to go after being sidelined since Feb. 2 due to a vascular incident. The Rangers will ease him back in with reserve duty Thursday, but Vigneault reiterated that Lundqvist is still the team's franchise goaltender, even after Cam Talbot performed more than admirably in his stead. Assuming he doesn't see any relief duty Thursday, Lundqvist figures to make his return to the net Saturday in Boston or Sunday afternoon versus the Capitals, two teams that could both represent possible first-round playoff opponents for the Rangers.