NASHVILLE, Tenn.— The King is dread.

Rangers franchise goalie Henrik Lundqvist is expected to miss four-to-six weeks with a neck injury, as first reported by The Post’s Larry Brooks.

The team officially labeled it a “vascular injury” and said in a statement that Lundqvist “will remain sidelined at least three weeks, until he is reevaluated. … We have been conferring with leading medical experts to ensure the best possible care.”

The injury occurred when Lundqvist took a Brad Malone shot to the throat during Saturday’s 4-1 victory over the Hurricanes. Lundqvist then played all 60 minutes of a 6-3 win over the Panthers on Monday night before retreating to the bench in favor of backup Cam Talbot for Wednesday night’s 3-2 triumph over the Bruins at the Garden.

Lundqvist had been experiencing intermittent headaches, which he said came with feeling light-headed, after taking the shot during Saturday’s game. Sources had told The Post that Lundqvist did not develop a blood clot, nor is he is suffering from nerve damage or post-concussion symptoms.

Lundqvist’s injury has been identified as vascular — a problem involving the body’s system of veins and arteries.

When asked if there were concern over Lundqvist being allowed to play after taking the shot to the throat, coach Alain Vigneault deflected the question.

“I’m focused on our game tomorrow against Nashville,” he said. “This is a medical issue that our staff will deal with. My focus, and my players’ focus, is totally on a team that’s playing extremely well. And that’s it.”

The Rangers played coy about The Post’s report at first, going into a shell of denial after Friday’s practice as the team prepared for Saturday afternoon’s game against the first-place Predators at Bridgestone Arena.

“I have no updates at this time,” Vigneault said. “Hank obviously isn’t coming on the trip. When the organization has an update for you, they’ll share it with you.

“I have nothing right now.”

When asked why there was such secrecy over Lundqvist’s condition, team spokesman John Rosasco had said: “Because we don’t have all the information yet. It’s not that we’re not telling you. We’ll tell you when we have all the information.”

Talbot also was in the dark, not having spoken to Lundqvist.

“They’re keeping it as shushed from us as they are from [the media],” Talbot said. “I have no idea what’s going on. As far as I know, I’m just playing [Saturday].”

In his second NHL season, the 27-year-old Talbot has 33 career games under his belt. Although he didn’t know exactly how long Lundqvist is going to be out, he’s not trying to overextend himself.

“I approach it like I’m going to be in there until they tell me differently,” Talbot said. “That’s the best I can say.”

Talbot, who played admirably in making 18 saves Wednesday, is 5-4-1 this season with a 2.14 goals-against average and a .924 save percentage.

He’s hoping an increased workload — no matter how long he is pressed into first-string duty — actually might benefit his game.

“I’m hoping it might be a little easier being in there for more than one game every two weeks,” Tablot said. “It’s a different mind-set I think, going in there knowing that I might get a couple games here in a row. But it’s something I’ve done in the past and I look for ward to the opportunity to do it again.”

Vigneault would not say whether the team is looking to add a veteran goalie to back up Talbot during the stretch.

“We’re in the market right now to win Saturday’s game,” Vigneault said.

It’s pretty clear Vigneault is not planning on playing 20-year-old Mackenzie Skapski, who is backing up Talbot only on an emergency basis.

The team in front of Talbot also is trying not to do too much in Lundqvist’s absence.

“Obviously, we wish that no one [is] hurt on our team, and we wish Hanky a quick recovery,” forward Mats Zuccarello said. “We know Talbot is going to step in and do a hell of job while he’s gone.”

“The most important thing is that Hank gets healthy and ready to go coming closer to playoffs.”