The Rangers return to New York for practice in advance of their Game 3 matchup Tuesday against the Penguins. Two injured Rangers will not likely be able to go Monday while one who has been injured off-and-on this season, limiting him to just 37 games in the minors, is likely to be promoted and will practice Monday with the team. If any lineup change does occur, it might be on the blueline, though that is less than set in stone.
Coach Alain Vigneault in his conference call Sunday said: (Ryan McDonagh and Dan Girardi) did come in this morning for treatment, but if I was a betting man I would say no (as it relates to practicing." If neither practice, there is a pretty good chance that they do not play Tuesday. McDonagh is recovering from the fractured metacarpals in his right hand suffered when blocking a Brandon Dubinsky shot on April 4, two weeks ago. No timeframe was given as to his return when first injured, but speculation ranged from 2-6 weeks. Girardi, who struggled mightily in Game 1, sat Game 2 due to assorted injuries.
AV had lots to say about Girardi:
“Dan, in my estimation, is a real solid defenseman,… Vigneault said. “He plays through more things than I’ve seen a lot of players that I’ve coached play through. He’s always team-first, and it’s always, ‘I can play.’ At some point, sometimes, the medical staff and the coaching staff says, ‘Well, this year, it’s probably better if we give you a little bit more time to get better.’“If it was up to Dan, he’d be playing. I think he’s been probably unfairly criticized. And when he’s ready to come back, I’m sure he’s going to play real well for us...He’s one of our best competitors, and he’s a guy that’s really respected in our dressing room because of who he is and what he can bring,… Vigneault added. “So right now, he’s day-to-day. And when he’s ready to play, we’ll make that decision.…
The use of the word when is fairly good indication that if G is cleared to play, he could be back in the lineup. Girardi has given his heart-and-soul and body to this team but its also clear that he is a shell of his former self. Playing him won't tarnish his image but AV will have a major decision to make if he is cleared to play, since others may be better suited to being in the lineup than Girardi. But, there is the locker room aspect to consider, since G is well-respected and a leader on this team, which will need to be factored in.
it's easy to say play the best player, which is quite likely how it should work, but scratching a player who has been a warrior and one whose teammates respect the heck out of him is not an easy decision. If McDonagh was back, you could argue the decision gets harder, since some like Dylan McIlrath or Dan Boyle comes out for McD,which is a no-brainer. But then if G was ready as well, who gets scratched? Do you sit Brady Skjei for G if McD is back? To me, no, but if not Skjei, is it McIlrath or Boyle, each of whom might be viewed by some as close to Girardi, though the prevailing view is both, especially McIlrath, might be a better option than G. Not an easy decision for AV.
Of course, it doesn't end there. Right-handed defenseman Raphael Diaz, who scored six goals and added 15 assists to go along with a +11 plus/minus rating in those 37 games he did play with the Wolf Pack, will be up Monday. Diaz has shown that he play either side and has the puck-moving skills AV loves. If Diaz is deemed ready, does AV sit McIlrath, who played 9:07 Saturday but just over two minutes in the third? What happens when G returns? Would he get in over Diaz as well as the aforementioned others? In addition, does Diaz get in Tuesday over McIlrath?
AV has to make the decision for the team right now. Don't base it on what happened in the past, as that has little bearing as the series wears on. Make the determination on who best deserves to be out there, who is playing the best and who fits the team system the best in this series.
Larry Brooks had a few great points in his column today:
Skjei got approximately 4:45 on the right of his 6:54 in the third and 19:02 overall, teamed primarily with Staal but also took a turn with Keith Yandle. Earlier in the period he played the right side while righty Klein claimed the left. And he did just fine.For the immediate future, the Minnesota Golden Gopher’s ability to adapt provides Vigneault with another option if left-sider Ryan McDonagh is able to return and the coach wants/needs to change up on the right.
Longer-term, if Skjei could make the switch to the right side, that would open a spot on the left and theoretically enable the club to keep Yandle, a pending free agent, off the market and on Broadway.
That’s why Skjei’s successful move to the right side — even if it consisted of a very small sample size — was so significant.
One other point to be added is that Skjei's ability to move sides provides AV additional in-game flexibility. When McDonagh comes back, AV can play either Skjei or McDonagh or both on the right side. That would allow Yandle and Skjei to be paired if needed, as they were Saturday. In addition, Marc Staal and Skjei could be paired if need be with Skjei on the right. When/if Girardi returns, AV could go McD-Klein, Yandle-Staal, Skjei-Girardi or other combination. Skjei's growth gives NY options, which are always welcome playoff time.
Viktor Stalberg, the 30-year-old on a one-year, $1.1 million deal, is consistently rubbing people out and consistently rubbing the Penguins the wrong way. His sandpaper game — aided and abetted by speed and power — has irritated Pittsburgh. He looks like the player he was when he contributed meaningfully to the Blackhawks’ 2013 Cup champions before it went wrong in Nashville.
Stalberg's move to the fourth line alongside Tanner Glass and Dominic Moore solidified the bottom trio. That line was one of the Rangers best and most consistent down the stretch. We went crazy when Glass was signed to a three-year deal worth $1.45 mil per year. I wonder what would have been the reaction this offseason if Stalberg signed a two-year deal worth $1.3 mil per campaign? Now, given how well he has played and filled a needed spot, that type of deal likely would look like a bargain.
The lines Saturday were as below and I expect them to be the same tomorrow. This means Oscar Lindberg and Marek Hrivik will be scratched again. Maybe Diaz shares rushes with McIlrath or Boyle, as Diaz could replace McIlrath in Game 3 or Boyle down the road in the series of playoffs if he needs a rest and both McD and G aren't ready.
Kreider-Stepan-Zuccarello Miller-Brassard-Nash EStaal-Hayes-Fast Glass-Moore-Stalberg
MStaal-Klein Yandle-McIlrath Skjei-Boyle
Lundqvist