The New York Rangers’ practice on Friday brought some good and bad news.
On the positive side, goalie Henrik Lundqvist was on the ice, which keeps the door open to him returning on Saturday. They will be missing defenseman Dan Girardi though.
The Rangers ruled Girardi out for that contest after he missed Friday’s practice. As is to be expected of a playoff issue, most of the details haven’t been revealed. When asked if it was an upper or lower-body injury, Rangers coach Alain Vigneault said, “It’s the whole thing,” per TSN’s Frank Seravalli.
Girardi missed the final two games of the regular season with an upper-body injury, but logged 17:17 minutes in Game 1.
His absence raises the possibility of 23-year-old blueliner Dylan McIlrath playing in his first postseason contest. He had four points and 64 penalty minutes in 34 contests in the regular season.
