Dylan Garand gets his Rangers backup opportunity — and a real chance to make his case

Rookie goaltender Dylan Garand has returned to the New York Rangers to serve as the team's backup after Joonas Korpisalo was placed on injured reserve with a lower-body injury. Garand was initially sent down to AHL Hartford following training camp cuts, but the week-to-week injury to Korpisalo opened the door for his immediate recall ahead of Friday's start against Detroit.

The Rangers had previously placed the 24-year-old on waivers with the intention of giving him starter's minutes in the AHL, but he cleared successfully. Head coach Mike Sullivan expressed confidence in Garand, who posted a 2-0-1 record and a .948 save percentage in limited NHL action last season.