With Klein and Girardi out, McIlrath should get a fair opportunity
McIlrath (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
Last night the Rangers lost a key piece of their blue line. Dan Girardi went down with a hip flexor injury that AV said he will be out “more than a day.”
Girardi’s Injury
Hip Flexors occur when one of the muscles in your hip becomes stretched or torn. It can happen from a quick or sudden movement or by lunging or over extending the muscle group. Recovery depends on the severity of the injury which could be a few days for a grade 1 tear to months for a grade 3. We should know exactly how long at some point today.
Girardi’s injury opens up a big hole on McDonagh’s right. Adam Clendening has filled in there and been ok. Kevin Klein if healthy could step right into that role as well. If Klein is not ready, Dylan McIlrath will get the call.
McIlrath Should Be In The Lineup Regardless
I’ve been advocating for McIlrath to be part of the 6 this entire preseason. He isn’t AV’s prototype defenseman, but he can do what no one else on the D can with consistency. That is hit and hit hard, clear the crease, and drop the mitts.
Nick Holden is doing a decent job so far this season, but got absolutely lost on the Blues second goal. The word out of Colorado is he can be a nightmare in his own zone at times and we may have just gotten our first glimpse last night.
Bottom line, McIlrath should be an everyday player for the Rangers and he may now get an opportunity to prove it.
NYR v STL (ESPN)
More About:New York Rangers Features New York Rangers Games