Chris Kreider out indefinitely

— -- New York Rangers forward Chris Kreider was not in the lineup Wednesday when the team hosted the Philadelphia Flyers at Madison Square Garden.

The team provided no further information other than that the 22-year-old forward will be out of the lineup, though one source indicated to ESPNNewYork.com the prognosis was not good.

Kreider, who was a breakout star in the playoffs two years ago, has 17 goals and 37 points in what has been a bounce-back season.

Rangers coach Alain Vigneault confirmed in his pre-game news briefing Wednesday that Kreider sustained a hand injury and is out indefinitely while the team decides the best "course of action" to take. Kreider will at least miss New York's upcoming four-game Western Conference trip.

Vigneault did not rule out surgery as a possibility.

Kreider sustained the injury during Friday's 3-1 win against the Columbus Blue Jackets but played the in the team's following two games with "minimal pain," according to Vigneault.

Kreider, who will be replaced in the lineup by call-up forward  J.T. Miller, will not make the team's upcoming four-game trip to Western Canada. It is not immediately known whether he is expected to miss time in the playoffs should the Rangers secure a postseason berth.

"He brings a lot of speed to the game. We have guys that certainly have to step up and bring that aspect to the game," said center Derek Stepan "We'll just have to make some adjustments."

With Kreider out, Stepan will skate on a line with Rick Nash and Martin St. Louis.

Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.