Rangers' McDonagh leaves game with injury

PHILADELPHIA -- New York Rangers captain Ryan McDonagh left the game Saturday against the Philadelphia Flyers because of an injury midway through the first period.

McDonagh and Flyers forward Wayne Simmonds came together with 9:24 left in the period. As they were pushing and shoving, Simmonds appeared to punch McDonagh in the head and knocked him to the ice. McDonagh needed assistance to get to the locker room.

Rangers coach Alain Vigneault said McDonagh was held out for precautionary reasons and there would be an update on his condition Sunday.

The Rangers play Monday against the New Jersey Devils.

"I just hope he's OK," Rangers goaltender Henrik Lundqvist said. "He's a big part of this team. We need him. Hopefully it's not too bad."

McDonagh has seven goals and 26 points in 52 games and leads the Rangers with an average ice time of 22:44 per game. He also leads the Rangers in shorthanded time on ice per game at 2:51, and plays 2:16 per game on the power play. He's the only Rangers player to skate more than two minutes per game on each special team.

Simmonds was assessed a game misconduct and a match penalty. McDonagh received minor penalties for high-sticking and slashing.

The Rangers scored with 13 seconds left in the third period to tie the game and won in a shootout, 3-2.