New York Rangers Daily: Hockey grabs sports spotlight; Charlie McAvoy injury concern for Bruins
It was quite the day for the New York Rangers at the 4 Nations Face-Off on Monday. Chris Kreider played his first game and scored a goal on his first shift. Mika Zibanejad was stricken by the flu and could not play in Sweden’s final game. Vincent Trocheck may, or many not, be hurt. Urho Vaakanainen’s pride might be a bit bruised. Adam Fox was again pretty quiet. And J.T. Miller? Yeah, he just keeps chugging along for Team USA.
When all was said and done Monday at TD Garden, Vaakanainen and Zibanejad were headed back to New York, their respective countries eliminated from the tournament. The four Rangers on Team USA will play in the 4 Nations Final on Thursday despite a 2-1 loss to Sweden on Monday night. And Canada made sure to punch their ticket to the championship game rematch against the U.S. with a exciting finish and 5-3 win against Finland.
Then there’s the plethora of injuries for the United States. And Canada’s vow to avenge a 3-1 loss to the U.S. during the prelims of the 4 Nations.
No shortage of storylines in this compelling mid-season international tournament.
On Tuesday, NHL players return to their teams ahead of getting back to game action Saturday. That means a whole new round of storylines will crop up. Then there’s the March 7 NHL Trade Deadline 2 1/2 weeks away. Yup, rumors and more storylines.
It’s a super busy time of year. And it’s awesome to see hockey grab the sports spotlight.
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New York Rangers news
No lie, it was pretty cool that Chris Kreider scored 35 seconds into the U.S. game Monday after being a healthy scratch the first two. And to do it at home in Boston in front of so many family and friends? Bravo.
Urho Vaakanainen was minus-3 and Finland was knocked out by Canada 5-3, despite a late surge in the third period threw a scare into the Canadians.
Turning our attention to the upcoming trade deadline, a close look at the difficult Ryan Lindgren decision the Rangers face. Plus, breaking down New York’s options to upgrade the defense corps ahead of the deadline.
In our Hartford Wolf Pack weekly we focus on Ben Harpur’s latest extended injury, and how Brett Berard and Brennan Othmann are taking off playing on the same line together.
NHL news
The Boston Bruins will have an update on defenseman Charlie McAvoy on Tuesday morning. He missed Team USA’s game against Sweden Monday because of an upper-body injury, and reportedly was taken to the hospital for further tests.
Brady Tkachuk left the 2-1 loss for the United States in the first period with an unspecified injury after colliding with the goal post. Team USA coach Mike Sullivan said the forward was held out for “precautionary reasons” and his status is unknown for the Final on Thursday.
Brady’s brother, Matthew, did not play Monday because of a lower-body injury. Joining him in the press box was Auston Matthews, who was out with upper-body soreness.
Canada coach Jon Cooper couldn’t praise Sidney Crosby enough Monday, not only for his big-game performance against Finland, that included a big hit, takeaway and empty-net goal to ice thew win, but for how humble and decent a person he is. “You can see why he arguably is one of the most respected people in this game,” Cooper said.
Despite being eliminated after three games at the 4 Nations Face-Off, Finland believes it set the groundwork for a better result at the 2026 Milano Olympics.
Longtime Montreal Canadiens beat reporter Stu Cowen of the Montreal Gazette believes they are in “hard sell” position ahead of the trade deadline, meaning Jake Evans, Joel Armia, Christian Dvorak and David Savard should all be in play.
The Utah Hockey Club may not need to make many moves ahead of the trade deadline. That’s because they’re expecting a slew of injured players to return after the 4 Nations break, including center Logan Cooley, defenseman Sean Durzi and goalie Connor Ingram.
Jordan Eberle was recalled by the Seattle Kraken from Coachella Valley of the American Hockey League, where he was on a conditioning loan. The Kraken veteran should be good to go when NHL games resume Saturday. He’s been out months following pelvic surgery.
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