That was the latest from New York Rangers head coach Alain Vigneault, who said his defenseman has been "unfairly criticized," according to NHL.com's Dan Rosen, even though Girardi's been nothing but a team-first character throughout his time in Manhattan.
Vigneault added he doesn't expect Girardi or Ryan McDonagh to practice Monday, and both remain day to day.
"I believe Diaz will be joining us for practice tomorrow" - #NYR Head Coach Alain Vigneault.
Girardi's an easy target for Rangers' fans, thanks in part to his bloated contract. He's making $5.5 million against the salary cap and though he'll turn 32 at the end of the month, he's signed through 2019-20.
A Ranger his entire career, Girardi had two goals and 15 assists this season, posting a ghastly 41.7 percent Corsi For rating, according to War On Ice, easily the worst of his career. The Rangers aren't a strong possession team to begin with, and Girardi's an anchor.
McDonagh's yet to suit up in the playoffs, while Girardi missed Game 2, which the Rangers won. The series with the Pittsburgh Penguins is tied up at one as it shifts to Madison Square Garden. New York's now got home-ice advantage.
The defender, out with a fractured leg, won't play in the first-round series against the Red Wings, head coach Jon Cooper confirmed, according to ESPN's Craig Custance.
Up 2-0 in the series, Cooper said "there's a chance" Stralman returns should the Lightning move on, reports the Tampa Bay Times' Joe Smith.
Stralman was working out with what might have been a brace on his leg, but it was not a cast, Custance added. What we know is the defender is making progress, but there remains no definitive timeline for his return.
Here's what ice time on the blue line looks for Tampa Bay through two playoff games:
Defenseman
Average Ice Time
Victor Hedman
26:46
Jason Garrison
22:08
Braydon Coburn
19:15
Matt Carle
17:55
Andrej Sustr
17:52
Nikita Nesterov
12:35
Matt Carle was a healthy scratch numerous times throughout the season, but he's been asked to step up in Stralman's absence, and has done so admirably.
Last November, I examined a report released by the Canadian Taxpayers Federation (in conjunction with Americans for Tax Reform). It claimed 60 percent of last season’s unrestricted free agents and players who waived their no-trade clause clause chose destinations with lower taxes. I discovered the report contained several glaring flaws. Among the notables: Among the […]
Mrazek, 24, appeared in all seven playoff games against the Lightning last season, posting a save percentage of .925 and dropping a 2-0 decision in a series-deciding Game 7.
He also posted better numbers than Howard during the regular season, and will have the opportunity to get Detroit back in the series with a win on home ice.
Defenseman Brendan Smith, previously a healthy scratch, will also draw into the lineup.
Blashill on Smith: "Brendan wasn't out because he was playing bad. He was out because I have 7 good defensemen & I have to choose 6." #LGRW
The story heading into Game 3 on Sunday afternoon between Hitchcock's St. Louis Blues and the Chicago Blackhawks is undoubtedly how the Blues will respond after having what appeared to be a potential game-winning goal - and a potential 2-0 series lead - by Vladimir Tarasenko erased after Jori Lehtera was ruled to be "millimeters offside."
What could have been a 3-2 lead eventually turned into a 3-2 loss for the Blues, after Andrew Shaw scored late in the third period, his goal standing after another review process, this one checking for goaltender interference.
Whether Hitchcock's keeping tabs with NHL hockey operations or the hockey gods, we don't know, but he's keep tabs, is what matters.
Each review took four-and-a-half minutes, twice bringing an intense playoff game to a halt, which irked a lot of the players. But Hitchcock says the Blues must overcome, the time for chatting due in the offseason.
"That's probably for summer time conversation," said the head coach, whose job is certainly on the line after three straight first-round exits. "I'm sure there'll be lots of discussion. That (offside call) will be a video that will get played over and over again, but for right now, all I know is it's a call that went against us and we need to move on and get ready for (Sunday) afternoon."
The Blues dealt with their fair share of adversity this season, as multiple key players went down to injury. They not only survived, but thrived, finishing second in the Central Division and Western Conference with an impressive 107 points. They're going to have to summon that same resolve if they hope to win three of five against the defending Stanley Cup champions.
The story heading into Game 3 on Sunday afternoon between Hitchcock's St. Louis Blues and the Chicago Blackhawks is undoubtedly how the Blues will respond after having what appeared to be a potential game-winning goal - and a potential 2-0 series lead - by Vladimir Tarasenko erased after Jori Lehtera was ruled to be "millimeters offside."
What could have been a 3-2 lead eventually turned into a 3-2 loss for the Blues, after Andrew Shaw scored late in the third period, his goal standing after another review process, this one checking for goaltender interference.
Whether Hitchcock's keeping tabs with NHL hockey operations or the hockey gods, we don't know, but he's keep tabs, is what matters.
Each review took four-and-a-half minutes, twice bringing an intense playoff game to a halt, which irked a lot of the players. But Hitchcock says the Blues must overcome, the time for chatting due in the offseason.
"That's probably for summer time conversation," said the head coach, whose job is certainly on the line after three straight first-round exits. "I'm sure there'll be lots of discussion. That (offside call) will be a video that will get played over and over again, but for right now, all I know is it's a call that went against us and we need to move on and get ready for (Sunday) afternoon."
The Blues dealt with their fair share of adversity this season, as multiple key players went down to injury. They not only survived, but thrived, finishing second in the Central Division and Western Conference with an impressive 107 points. They're going to have to summon that same resolve if they hope to win three of five against the defending Stanley Cup champions.
Following a hit that caused a stanchion to come loose as well as an apparent hand pass, the Los Angeles Kings' mascot became visibly frustrated and offered the referee a pair of glasses.
It seems as though he was able to calm down and gain some perspective after the Kings' Game 2 loss.
Let's all take a moment and remember it's a game. Japan and Ecuador was rocked by serious earthquakes. 🙏🏻
After a 2-1 win Saturday over the Los Angeles Kings in Game 2 of their first-round Stanley Cup playoff series, the San Jose Sharks hold a 2-0 lead, seemingly well positioned to knock off their state rivals and punch their ticket to the Western Conference semifinals.
The problem is, they were in an even better position two years ago, but proceeded to blow a 3-0 series lead to these very Kings in a scarring opening-round collapse.
Here's three reasons why history won't repeat itself in 2016:
Road warriors
In 2014, the Sharks won Games 1 and 2 in convincing fashion, outscoring the Kings 13-5. Those performances, however, came on home ice, where teams are expected to hold court in a seven-game series.
This year, San Jose squeaked out a pair of one-goal road wins, stealing home-ice advantage from the Kings. That the Sharks were able to take care of business in L.A. should come as no surprise; San Jose posted a 28-10-3 away record this season, tops in the NHL.
Their regular-season home record (18-20-3) left something to be desired, but the Sharks are traditionally a strong home team, and that they were able to win a pair in Los Angeles with three of a possible five games to be played in San Jose bodes well for shutting the door on another Kings comeback.
Kings' banged-up blue line
The Kings were forced to play Game 2 without defenseman Alec Martinez, who averaged over 21 minutes a night during the regular season. Jamie McBain was called into action in his stead, while Drew Doughty and Jake Muzzin were both given even heavier than usual workloads.
Brayden McNabb is the only other Kings defenseman to see an average of over 20 minutes through the first two games, with Rob Scuderi, McBain, and Luke Schenn seeing four to five fewer minutes.
Should Martinez not be able to return immediately, the Sharks should continue to wear down Los Angeles' top pair and take advantage of the weaker half of the defensive lineup, leaving goaltender Jonathan Quick more exposed than usual.
Luck is a huge factor in the playoffs, and health is on San Jose's side.
Mr. Jones
Antti Niemi was San Jose's number one goalie in 2014, but he finished only three of the six games he started, posting an .884 save percentage over the course of the series. Alex Stalock played well in relief, but in the end, it was a matter of too little, too late.
Last summer, San Jose paid a premium to acquire Martin Jones - Los Angeles' former backup - and he's proving to be well worth giving up a first-round pick early on this postseason, allowing only four goals on 51 shots, good for a .922 save percentage.
Should he falter, James Reimer, who sparkled after being acquired from Toronto prior to the deadline, is ready to step in and help close the door.
Jones is proving to be a star on the big stage, with Hollywood ready to be conquered.
Latest on the Bruins, Rangers, Maple Leafs and Senators in your Sunday Rumor Roundup. THE BOSTON GLOBE: Fluto Shinzawa reports the Boston Bruins weren’t happy with goaltender Tuukka Rask’s performance this season, but they’re not going to trade him. He believes the Bruins must provide Rask with a better backup goaltender, noting LA Kings goalie Jhonas […]
A pair of fluke goals highlight the playoff recap in today’s collection of notable NHL playoff headlines. NHL Playoff Recaps. THE WASHINGTON POST: A dump-in shot by Washington Capitals defenseman Karl Alzner that was tipped at center ice by teammate Jason Chimera somehow eluded Philadelphia Flyers goaltender Steve Mason during Game Two of their opening-round series. […]
