Barclay Goodrow day-to-day after scary puck to the face injury, Chris Kreider misses practice
The New York Rangers were back to work after a poor performance against the Ottawa Senators on Tuesday that resulted in a 6-2 loss.
On Thursday, two key forwards missed practice in Barclay Goodrow (upper-body) and Chris Kreider (lower-body). There’s no word if either of them are in jeopardy of missing any time with the Rangers heading to Washington for a road matchup against the Capitals on Saturday.
“They were off today,” coach Peter Laviolette commented. “We’ll see where everyone is at tomorrow. It’s day-to-day.”
Related: K’Andre Miller turning it up for Rangers
Barclay Goodrow takes puck to the face
During the first period in Ottawa, K’Andre Miller tried to keep a puck in the zone by rushing up to the blue-line and lifting it into the corner.
Unfortunately, Goodrow’s face was right in the puck’s path, striking him square in the mouth. A bloody mouthguard and a missing tooth were left on the ice as he rushed to the locker room.
It was a tough play that had Miller visibly upset afterwards.
“Listen, that happens,” Laviolette remarked. “Certainly we don’t like to see that, he’s an important part of our team for a lot of different reasons.”
Goodrow, 30, has 1 goal and 2 assists in 23 games this season. While his offensive production is down, the gritty forward has been a key contributor to the Rangers successes defensively and on the PK.
Meanwhile, Chris Kreider showed no signs of ailment in the last game and this could simply be just maintenance. The Blueshirts are still without Filip Chytil (upper-body) and Kaapo Kakko (lower-body), who are both on LTIR.
If the Rangers need someone to cover for either Goodrow or Kreider, expect a call-up or two from the Hartford Wolf Pack.
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