Sports

Doctors optimistic Rangers' Staal will recover

March 6, 2013 | Modified: March 6, 2013 at 9:16 pm
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New York Rangers' Marc Staal (18) reacts after being hit by a puck during the third period of an NHL hockey game against the Philadelphia Flyers on Tuesday, March 5, 2013, in New York. Rangers goalie Henrik Lundqvist, of Sweden, watches. The Rangers won the game 4-2. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

NEW YORK (AP) — Doctors are optimistic that New York Rangers defenseman Marc Staal will recover fully after being struck in the eye by a deflected puck.

Staal was injured Tuesday night in the third period of New York's 4-2 victory over the Philadelphia Flyers. The 26-year-old defenseman will be sidelined indefinitely, but was already showing improvement on Wednesday, the Rangers said in a statement.

Staal's specific injury hasn't been disclosed.