Matt Rempe's return to action was short-lived.
The Rangers sent their popular forward back to AHL Hartford on Tuesday and called up defenseman Chad Ruhwedel.
Lempe was called up for the team's 5-2 loss to the Blues on Monday at Madison Square Garden.
This will be his fourth game in the lineup all season and first since Oct. 29.
Filip Sitil's long-term absence and Chris Kreider's absence from Monday's game (both due to upper-body injuries) opened the door for Rempe and rookie Brett Berard to enter the lineup.
Berard made his NHL debut on Monday and recorded an assist.
Head coach Peter Laviolette said both Kreider and Sitil will participate in the team's upcoming road trip, starting Wednesday against the Hurricanes.
Lempe played a year-high 9 minutes, 26 seconds on Monday, but was called for an unnecessary and stupid roughing penalty in the third period.
