The New York Rangers have been mum about the injury to top-pair defenseman Ryan McDonagh after he suffered a shoulder ailment during the team's 3-1 win over the Vancouver Canucks on Tuesday, but it appears as though its not serious and the defenseman is day-to-day.
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The New York Daily News reported that coach Alain Vigneault didn't seem worried about McDonagh's status going forward after it was initially feared that the blueliner would sit out the next two weeks and possibly miss Round 1 of the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
"He's day-to-day, and I don't think it's going to be very long," the Rangers coach told the paper Thursday.
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McDonagh was hit late in the third period by Canucks forward Alex Burrows, and lay prone on the ice for a few seconds before leaving the game. McDonagh's defensive partner Dan Girardi was hopeful that his teammate--who helps him shutdown other team's top scorers on the blue line --would be okay.
"We're definitely excited about the win, but it's disappointing how we lose our top 'D' at the end there," Girardi told the Daily News. "I don't really know anything that's going on right now, but I'm hoping he's good. He's a tough guy."
Girardi also added that he didn't like the hit that Burrows put on him.
"I know [Burrows] is trying to maybe get the puck there. They're down by two and they need a goal. But I don't know if that's necessary to hit a guy like that when he's pretty vulnerable," Girardi told the publication.
Vigneault on McDonagh's timetable: "He's day-to-day, and I don't think it's going to be very long." #NYR
— Pat Leonard (@PLeonardNYDN) April 3, 2014
New York goaltender Henrik Lundqvist, who struggled early on in the season but has been lights-out down the stretch, including setting franchise records in career wins and shutouts, was hopeful McDonagh would be fine.
"You get worried," the goaltender told the paper. "We have important weeks ahead of us, hopefully months. So right now you want to make sure everybody feels good or healthy. Hopefully [McDonagh's injury] is not too bad."
McDonagh likely won't be out long, but the Rangers will need him to be fully healthy down the stretch to make a significant playoff run after he's emerged as one of their best players.
McDonagh, who may very well be the team's next captain, could sit out until the playoffs start on April16 as a precaution, but for now he's day-to-day.
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