Artemi Panarin returns to practice as Rangers make injury moves on Ryan Lindgren, Jimmy Vesey

The Rangers can rest a little easier about Artemi Panarin’s status heading into opening night, but less so about Ryan Lindgren and Jimmy Vesey. 

The Breadman returned to practice with the team on Monday for the first time since exiting a preseason game early last week with a lower-body injury — the second such time that occurred — and the mood was optimistic that Panarin would be able to play on Wednesday night in Pittsburgh when the Rangers open their season. 

“We’re still a couple days out on that,” coach Peter Laviolette told reporters. “What you saw is exactly what happened. He made it through the practice today without any issues and that’s a positive.” 

Panarin was a little less circumspect, saying that his plan is to play against the Penguins, per LoHud’s Vince Mercogliano. 

“I feel good right now,” he told reporters. “I hope I’m good to go.” 

Lindgren, however, was placed on injured reserve, with Jimmy Vesey going on LTIR, industry sources told The Post’s Larry Brooks ahead of Monday’s 5 p.m. deadline.