Rangers forward Derek Stepan to miss 4-6 weeks with broken ribs

Derek Stepan will miss four to six weeks with broken ribs.

New York Rangers forward Derek Stepan will miss four to six weeks with broken ribs, the team announced.

In the second period of the Rangers' 4–3 loss to Boston on Friday, Stepan was hit by Matt Beleskey. Rangers defenseman Dylan McIlrath retaliated by fighting Beleskey, which resulted in an instigator penalty.

Watch the hit by Beleskey below:

Rangers coach Alain Vigneault told reporters that it was a late hit. No supplemental discipline was issued to Belesky, as he claimed that Stepan did not brace himself for the hit.

Stepan has six goals and six assists for the Rangers in 23 games on the year. He finished last season with 55 points in 68 games.

• PREWITT: Prospects and pals, Matt Grzelcyk and Jimmy Vesey make NHL wait

The Rangers have a 16–6–2 record and sit in second place in the Metropolitan Division. They will play the Carolina Hurricanes on Monday night at Madison Square Garden.

- Christopher Chavez