Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Final could be a good news/bad news one for the New York Rangers.
First the good news. Following practice at Madison Square Garden on Saturday morning, Rangers forward Derick Brassard said he’s good to go and will play.
Brassard has been out of action since early in Game 1 against Montreal after he took a big hit from Canadiens defenseman Mike Weaver. Brassard left that game immediately and has been out of action since.
The bad news isn’t too surprising. Rangers coach Alain Vigneault said it’s unlikely forward Derek Stepan plays in Game 4 after he was injured on a late hit by Habs forward Brandon Prust.
Stepan broke his jaw on the hit and Vigneault said he missed today’s practice in the hospital recovering from surgery. According to TSN’s Darren Dreger, Stepan needed a plate inserted to stabilize his jaw.
Getting Brassard back with Stepan likely out is a turn of good news for New York as they were looking at the possibility of being without two of their top three pivots in Game 4. Brassard is likely set to return to his line with Benoit Pouliot and Mats Zuccarello. Dominic Moore may have to take Stepan’s spot on the top line between Rick Nash and Chris Kreider.
