Derek Stepan is reportedly traveling to Montreal with his teammates in advance of tomorrow’s game four against the Canadiens. (Andrew Gross)
Good news. Even if he doesn't play in game 5 it tells you he is pretty close. Doubt he flies to Montreal if there was no shot he'd play, or if he was in a lot of pain. I still think game 6 is the game he returns, but who knows...maybe they put him back out there tomorrow night.
My thinking is if their flying him up he is playing otherwise why the heck put the kid on a plane instead of resting up a little more for either a possible game 6 or the start of the SC finals and man I like the sound of that "The Stanley Cup Finals and we're in it". If he does play tmo I hope he's ready as I don't trust those cheapshotting canadian scumbags.
Miller NOT traveling to Montreal. I guess that would mean Stepan has a good chance to play assuming he gets through pre-game okay. I would think Fast is the other option. I hope Stepan plays if ready. Mask him up and let him play. Would be a nice lift for the team.
Alain Vigneault is unsure if Stepan will play in game five but if he does return in the series he will have full facial protection. (Arpon Basu, Tom Gulitti) Oscar Lindberg is with the Rangers in Montreal and it’s between him and Jesper Fast to enter the lineup if Derek Stepan can’t replace JT Miller tomorrow. (Arpon Basu) Lindberg has been skating with the Rangers black aces. Lindberg would be making his NHL debut if he were to enter the lineup. He had 18 goals and 26 assists in 75 games for the Wolf Pack this seaosn. Fast has played in three playoff games this season, the last being game three against Pittsburgh. He has an assist, nine hits and an average of 9:39.
