Both the Rangers and Bruins conducted full practices today here at TD Garden as they prepare for Game 2 of their Eastern Conference semifinal series, Sunday afternoon at 3. The Bruins won Game 1, 3-2, in overtime on Thursday, giving ...
Both the Rangers and Bruins conducted full practices today here at TD Garden as they prepare for Game 2 of their Eastern Conference semifinal series, Sunday afternoon at 3. The Bruins won Game 1, 3-2, in overtime on Thursday, giving both teams a rare two-day break.
“We didn’t get this much during the season, this is more down time than we’ve had a in a while,” Rangers captain Ryan Callahan said. “I think it’s good after Game 1. It gives us a chance to look at some video, some things we need to improve on. It’s definitely a good break in between.”
“I think it’s good and bad,” D Dan Girardi added. “We got rest but we’re thinking about the game we had. When you have a game like that, it’s good to get right back at it.”
Both teams are likely to have the same lineups for Game 2, based on today’s practice. D Matt Gilroy was the only extra skater for the Rangers, who had the same lines and defensive pairs they played with in Game 1. Marc Staal, who was on the ice at TD Garden Friday during the Rangers’ optional practice, was not seen today.
For the Bruins, D Wade Redden, who missed Game 1 with an undisclosed injury, believed to be an upper-body injury, did practice but said afterwards he was not ready to rejoin the lineup as of today and Bruins coach Claude Julien said Redden would likely be a game-time decision. Julien also said D Dennis Seidenberg (lower body) was “doing better but I don’t anticipate him being ready for tomorrow.”
The highlight of John Tortorella’s press conference came when he was asked why top-line left wing Carl Hagelin was not used on the power play. Remember, Tortorella is completely enamored with Hagelin’s game and speed.
“Because he stinks on the power play,” Tortorella said. “I don’t know why. I wish I could play him on the power play. Every time I put him on, he stinks. I think he’s too quick. I think he’s a jitterbug and he screws it up. But, again, I may use him. I don’t know. I love him. I’m not trying to be a smart (aleck) but he stinks on the power play every time I put him on.”
The natural follow-up, given that the Rangers’ power play is awful is what does Tortorella have to lose by using Hagelin. The power play is 2 for 31 in the postseason.
“But the power play stinks, it’s true and that’s why he may get an opportunity,” Tortorella said.
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