Mats Zuccarello is not skating at today’s optional practice for the Rangers. (NYR) Kevin Klein is skating today at the Rangers optional practice this morning. (NYR) Alain Vigneault is watching practice from a perch above the ice. (NYR) Keith Yandle and Marc Staal are also not on the ice. (Brooks)
If Zucc is down for any length of time that would be a HUGE loss. I would guess concussion related. He's a very important player on this team.
The Rangers are saying that Zuccarello will be out indefinitely with an upper body injury that is “suspected” to be a concussion. (Brooks)
On the plus side Klein should be back: Kevin Klein said that he expects to return to the Rangers lineup for game one of the second round of the playoffs. (Cyrgalis) Klein said that he would have been able to play if there was a game six against Pittsburgh. (Cyrgalis)
Someone has to step up. Sheppard in the lineup gives us a more physical 4th line. Fast can play with Hags and Hayes. Marty moves up. The 4th line has to contribute and I've liked what I've seen from Sheppard and Moore when they play together. Hopefully Zucc will be back soon
If G1 starts Thursday he's got another 3 days. He got his bell rung, but it would be nice to know if it hit his helmet or actually mad contact with his head below the helmet
It was weird when it happened. It looked like the puck hit him in the side of his head, but he immediately looked like he grabbed his jaw. Although when he skated over to the tunnel he was obviously dazed. It could be jaw. But everyone in the know is speculating that it's a serious concussion. Rumor mill and "sources" are already saying his initial symptoms are on level with Sauer's.
He's prolly got a headache and some dizziness. Especially over the weekend. Hopefully if they give him another week he'll be ok. This is where the team really needs rick Nash to step up. The first line needs to have a game like the Gaudreau-Monahan-Hudler line and dominate
What are the chances Buchnevich sees a game here? His season ended recently and hes not going to the WC... Sather did say earlier this year after the Duclair trade that he'd be available
Possible but I think Sheppard is in. And I'd rather have him in against the cheapshot artists the caps and isles play
Sheppard has played 24 playoff games and has 2g 5a. Last hear he had 2g 4a in 7 games. Maybe they should think about playing him with Hayes and Hag AV likes the 4th line trio but it only makes sense to play him with Moore and Glass
If this is as serious as Sauer we are in huge trouble. Zucc is borderline top 5 with regards to players we cannot afford to lose. We play Sheppard, we move on and hope our depth steps up, but that is a very large loss if he misses this series, and if he is done for the playoffs it is a big blow to our SC hopes. All we can do is wait now and see how it plays out, but on the surface it sucks.
Obviously not confirmed, and I dont want to perpetuate false rumors, but a lot of chatter that he has a fractured skull with bleeding on the brain, along with a concussion. Let's hope it is not this serious for his sake, let alone hockey.
Just heard the news. Hoping for better news but feared something that could be this bad for if you watch the shot its a typical mcd howitzer that looks like it catches zucc flush right under the helmet where there was no protection. If he's out the rest of playoffs will be a big blow to the team but I just hope he makes a full recovery whatever the damage officially turns out to be.
