If there is ever to be real anticipation about practice news today seemed to be a day that would have been it, though it was also dulled by coach John Tortorella suggesting before last night’s game that Marian Gaborik probably wouldn’t play Thursday against Buffalo. Still there was anticipation on practice to see what the results would be for the Rangers star winger. What resulted was a set of mixed signals that leave me believing that he is going to play tomorrow, but probably shouldn’t.
During the actual practice all indications pointed to Gaborik missing his 13th straight game tomorrow as he practiced in the a 4th line yellow jersey along with Eric Christensen, Todd White and Richard candidate Derek Boogaard. As if that wasn’t enough of an indication Steve Zipay sent along this tweet:
“For all the talk about contact to test Gaborik shoulder, haven't seen much”
Once practice ended though Gaborik told the Rangers beat writers that he was good to go for tomorrow vs Buffalo. I am not normally one to question what the players themselves say, but if he was so good to go for tomorrow why did no one test him with contact nor did he play with guys he will actually line up with tomorrow. I understand and appreciate Gaborik’s desire to get back in the lineup and help the club, but a couple of team practices and limited contact do not make him ready to be back on the NHL ice. If he thinks the Sabres will go as soft on him as the Rangers did in practice, he is mistaken and he could quickly be injured again. Do not get me wrong the Rangers need Gaborik back as soon as possible, but it is better to wait until he is fully ready to be back and play with confidence of not being injured or shying away from contact.
In other practice news the other forward lines were the same as last night:
Dubinsky-Anisimov-Callahan
Avery-Boyle-Prust
Frolov-Stepan-Fedotenko
Obviously if Gaborik does play tomorrow vs Buffalo those lines will change likely with Fedotenko going down to the 4th line, White getting scratched and the remaining question being Stepan or Christensen as the center, though maybe with how Brian Boyle is playing it should be him. More on that later.
Michal Rozsival missed practiced for a yet to be disclosed reason, but if he is out tomorrow Matt Gilroy would dress for the 1st time in 6 games.
Obviously I will keeping an eye out for any updates on the status of Gaborik and Rozsival for tomorrow.
Obviously I will keeping an eye out for any updates on the status of Gaborik and Rozsival for tomorrow.
