Penguins/NHL
Penguin – Rangers Monday Report
The biggest story line going into the Rangers – Penguins playoff series is the injury situation. Today has given some clarity of where things stand head into game 1 or maybe not as Henrik Lundqvist left the ice twice in Rangers practice, likely starting a panic for Ranger fans.
Lundqvist leaves ice again. Replaced by mystery goalie. Think it is 1 of equipment guys. What a weird situation. #rangers
— Shawn Roarke (@sroarke_nhl) April 11, 2016
On the Rangers side, No. 1 defenseman Ryan McDonagh is certainly going to miss game 1 with a fracture in his right hand. Reports out of New York indicate McDonagh skated this morning but did not grip a stick. The New York Post reported last week McDonagh would at least miss the first couple games in round 1. There are no expectations of him playing until the series shifts back to New York next week.
Eric Staal, Dan Girardi who were banged up over the weekend, are practicing today and fully expected to be ready to go for game 1.
The Rangers lines at practice were the following:
Chris Kreider – Derek Stepan – Rick Nash
JT Miller – Derek Brassard – Mats Zuccarello
Kevin Hayes – Eric Staal – Jesper Faster
Tanner Glass – Dominic Moore – Victor Stalberg.
For Pittsburgh, it’s been a positive day on the injury front.
As reported on Friday, the Penguins have been confident that Marc Andre Fleury would be cleared and ready to play for Game 1. While the Penguins are not going to commit to Fleury playing yet, neither will Fleury, barring a setback over the next 48 hours, he’s going to be in goal Wednesday night.
Two other positive developments involve Olli Maatta and Evgeni Malkin.
Out since March 24, the Penguins have believed Maatta’s injury was a three week injury and he participated in his first practice with the team today. He skated as the extra pairing with Derrick Pouliot and while not a guarantee he’s a go for game 1, Maatta is considered very likely to be available to play by game 2 at the latest.
As for Malkin, his latest checkup last week showed his arm injury is progressing closer to being a six-week healing process than an eight-to-nine week injury. The spacing out of the first round series keeps him as a possibility to return late in the series. Malkin has intensified his on ice workouts with full ability to shoot and handle pucks.
One player who won’t be ready for the start of the series is Bryan Rust, while another player whose status for the rest of the playoffs is up in the air isTo read this insider news, subscribe to get “Inside Access”!
I can’t wait to see Faster play.
Who has more speed? Jesper Fast or Jesper Faster?
(Waiting for someone to say, it’s pronounced Faust… Got it buddy)
No way they can play sestito
I was all for Sestito playing in the regular season. Disappointing they don’t have anyone in the minors that’s a better fit for playoff hockey.
I would even think dressing 7 Dmen is a better option that sesito
Much better. Not even close. Though I like that option a lot better when Malkin is dressed as well since you’re goign to have to double shift your centers.
Bennet wont skate with the pens ever again
Its really scary to see Sesito doing line rushes this close to playoffs. Is there not anyone better in WBS? hows Jesse Kostopolous doing down there?
I agree. Terrifying that this gorilla even gets dressed for practice.
at least even if he sucks he gives his 100%.unlike some likes to steal paychecks on this team
Crosby. For the first 40 games. I hear you. That’s not a cheap paycheck, either.
Stanchion is Obsessed with other people’s money. Clearly a Bernie Sanders supporter
Out of the two of us, I guarantee you that you need a handout more than me, champ.
the guy finished 3rd in the league i dont know whats wrong with the picture .he erase his vacation time by playing harder then anyone in the league . worry about Kessel and malkin
Do you ever take his dick out of your mouth?
he carried the team the the the playoffs no ?
he finished top 5 in the league no ?
while chubby is stealing paychecks
and the russian is at his routine vacation time of the year
if it wasnt for the canadian boys crosby,letang and fleury this team would be bottom competing for the austin mathews
He’s never carried shit in the playoffs. And quite frankly, finishing top 5 isn’t enough. He’s supposed to be “the best in the world” – not one of the top 5. Chubby was paid nearly half of what he was this year. And $4 million less than Toews. And STILL outperformed the latter. I could just as easily say taht if 71 and 29 didn’t literally CARRY this team for the first 40 games, they’d have had no shot. At least in the latter half of the year, 71 had injury to blame – rather than 87’s general disinterest in… Read more »
i don’t think it was disinterest, the coach was a clown. he had the center playing as a 3rd defenseman. clearly the system was responisible for sid’s lack of production. look what happened as soon as the coach was replaced.
Odd – it only effected Sid. Not Malkin. Surely they played under the same system though, no?
Jesse?
Uncle
Henrik had the runs
Nothing worse than shitting your hockey pants.
Who’s the fastest: Jesper Fast or Jesper Faster?
Excuse my comment above. Didn’t scroll all the way down. Golf clap.