Ryan McDonagh, Dan Girardi and Marty St. Louis WILL NOT play for the Rangers tonight. (Larry Brooks) Renaud Lavoie tweets that it will be an “evening of rest” for St. Louis. Dan Carcillo and Justin Falk will replace Girardi and St. Louis in the lineup. (Larry Brooks) This will be Justin Falk’s first game of 2014. He last played on December 29 when he played 8:45. Marc Staal returned in the next game for the Ranger and Falk has not played since.
Talbot starting in goal. 11:39AM: Cam Talbot is the first goalie off the ice. (Steve Zipay) 11:25AM: McDonagh isn’t attempting slap shots and only “softly” wristing the puck towards the net. (Leonard) 11:16AM: Marty St. Louis and Ryan Haggerty are the only Rangers not skating. (Pat Leonard) 11:14AM: At the Rangers morning skate in Montreal, Ryan McDonagh is skating with Dan Girardi. (Rangers)
Smart move. Give guys some rest. Play Talbot. McDonagh will be ready for Philly Thursday. Full steam ahead.
Great news: 2:45PM: Ryan McDonagh will not play for the Rangers tonight but is 100% and has full range of motion in his shoulder. (Andrew Gross) McDonagh said that he really pushed himself when he skated on his own yesterday and that while he could play tonight against Montreal, 3 more days of practice before the playoffs start would be good. (Andrew Gross) He said that the past two days he has felt really good, his shot is hard and he has no issues passing or skating. He said that the full range of motion returned a few days ago and that things have steadily gotten better each day. (Ranger Rants) McDonagh says that he will be ready for the playoffs and while he wants to play tonight, he respects the decisions of the coaching staff. (Rangers) Alain Vigneault said that McDonagh is 100% but he didn’t see the need to play him tonight. (Rangers)
