Rangers dodge potential lineup chaos, maybe.

Ryan Strome
Ryan Strome scores what would eventually become the game-winning goal in Game 7 against the Carolina Hurricanes. WFSB

The Rangers were without their second-line center Ryan Strome for most of yesterday’s matinee contest against the Tampa Bay Lightning. Strome appeared to sustain his injury on what seemed to be an inconsequential push from a Tampa defender. The 28-year-old, who will be an unrestricted free agent this off-season, was in immediate discomfort and skated right off the ice and into the locker room. He returned for one shift in the second period, but after returning to the bench, he looked at the training staff and shook his head, signifying his night was over. He logged only 7:22 of ice time before retiring to the locker room with what the team designated as a lower-body injury.

Gerard Gallant said yesterday after the game that we would know more tomorrow. According to Gallant, “He should be fine to go tomorrow. We fully expect him to play.” This update is good news but should be taken with a big grain of salt. This is the same coach who told us back in September that “I don’t know for sure what’s going to happen, but if I was a betting man, I think we will have a Captain on day one.” Well, it’s June, and they still don’t have a captain, so approach anything, and everything Turk says with caution.

If Strome does miss any time, keep an eye on either Kevin Rooney or Sammy Blais. Rooney has been out of the lineup since Tyler Motte returned from injury in game five of the Pittsburgh series. However, Sammy Blais is the most intriguing name because he’s been rehabbing his torn ACL since early November. Gallant joked during the Carolina series about Blais returning, but he has been skating with the team since before the playoffs, so it’s a stretch he could be ready if needed. Regardless of who steps in, expect the lineup to be put into a blender if Strome can’t go.


Discover more from Inside The Rink

Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.

Luca Perito

Born and raised in New York. I've lived in Arizona, Maryland, Delaware, and California. Love all sports. Twitter @elbigcalzonelp -- Instagram @thebigcalzone

One thought on “Rangers dodge potential lineup chaos, maybe.”

Leave a Reply

Steve Yzerman, General Manager of the Detroit Red Wings

Yzerman: This Red Wings Team ‘Can Take a Step’

The Detroit Red Wings currently have $12.09 million in salary cap space after the team acquired goaltender John Gibson from the Anaheim Ducks and acquired free agent left-winger James van Riemsdyk recently. According to general manager Steve Yzerman, the team will likely stand pat right now despite having this amount of cap space. The fact […]

Read More
Tanner Jeannot of the Los Angeles Kings

Player Profile: Tanner Jeannot

Tanner Jeannot was born on May 29, 1997, in Estevan, Saskatchewan. The left-shooting forward played for three seasons with the Estevan Bruins from 2010-13. In his first two seasons with the U15 club, Jeannot scored 29 goals and collected 18 assists in 42 games and five goals and three assists in ten postseason games. Jeannot […]

Read More
Gage Goncalves of the Tampa Bay Lightning

Tampa Bay Lightning Make Significant Player Signings To Start July

As free agency has started in the National Hockey League, many teams, including the Tampa Bay Lightning, are making significant roster moves with free agents and player extensions. Just yesterday, July 1, for day one of free agency, the Lightning extended young 24-year-old Portuguese forward Gage Goncalves to a two-year contract worth $1.2 million a […]

Read More