Stepan missed last night’s game with an upper-body injury he suffered on Tuesday. Monitor his status during pre-game warmups. If he can’t go, expect J.T Miller to skate on the second line again.
Stepan missed Wednesday’s practice after suffering an upper-body injury in the Rangers loss to the Islanders on Tuesday. With Stepan likely out, look for J.T Miller to centre the Rangers’ second line. Stepan is listed as day-to-day.
Stepan was injured in last night’s game and then missed practice this morning which doesn’t bode well for him being in the lineup tomorrow vs. Boston. With Stepan out, J.T Miller was centring the second line and Mats Zuccarello moved to the first power-play.
Stepan played a season low 6:55 and while the team would not confirm the nature of the injury, it appeared as if Stepan suffered a hand injury after being slashed by Islanders forward Matt Martin. Stepan will be evaluated on Wednesday and more details should be released in the next 24 hours.
Stepan has missed the first 12 games of the season with a fractured fibula that he suffered in the preseason. He skated on the Rangers second line with Mats Zuccarello and Chris Kreider this morning, so expect that to be where he is at tomorrow. He had 57 points (17G / 40A) in 82 games last season. He had never missed a game in his NHL career prior to this injury, so expect him to play 70 games and potentially get back to 50 points again.
Head coach Alain Vigneault said that the chances of Stepan returning to the lineup tomorrow are "very slim." After Wednesday, the Rangers are off until Saturday, so they will likely give him the extra three days. Saturday seems like a much more reasonable return date.
Stepan has shed his no-contact jersey which means he is probably cleared for contact, which is a big step in the right direction. The Rangers announced last week that he remained without a timetable, but Ryan Malone was placed on waivers on Sunday, which suggests that Stepan is getting close---being cleared for contact confirms that.
Stepan has reportedly suffered no setbacks in his recovery from a fractured fibula he suffered in the preseason. The plan is to have him start practicing and activate him from longterm injured reserve next week and have him in the lineup shortly after. Everything is on schedule for Stepan which is good news for the Rangers.
Stepan stepped on the ice this afternoon for the first time since fracturing hi fibula in the preseason. He remains without a timetable for his return, but skating is a step in the right direction for the Rangers number-1 centre.
Stepan's original timetable was 4-6 weeks and we are approaching the four week point and he has yet to resume skating, so it looks like he won't be returning until the tail-end of the original timetable at best.
The designation to long-term IR means that Stepan is ineligible to play until the Rangers' 11th game of the season on November 3rd against the Blues. Martin St. Louis is expected to start the season in Stepan's spot on the Rangers' top-line.
Stepan is expected to miss the first 9-12 games so the Rangers will need someone to fill that hole for a month. Martin St. Louis volunteered to move to centre, but that is unlikely. This should open the door for Derick Brassard to play on the first line and give J.T Miller a huge opportunity to showcase his talent.
Stepan will likely miss the preseason opener after suffering a bruised foot while blocking a shot in an informal skate. The injury is not serious and Stepan will be ready to go when the games start to count.
All signs pointed towards Stepan returning to the Rangers' lineup tonight, but head coach Alain Vigneault made it clear that it is not up to Stepan whether he plays tonight. Stepan will be monitored and evaluated by the medical staff this afternoon, before a decision is made on his status for game five. Consider him a game-time decision.
Stepan is on the ice with a full facial shield ahead of game 5. Stepan missed game 4 after having jaw surgery following a game 3 broken jaw. There is a chance Stepan could be in the lineup tonight, but it won't be announced until after the gameday skate.
Stepan's jaw was broken on a hit by Habs' forward Brandon Prust in game 3 on Thursday. Prust has a hearing for a possible suspension as a result of the hit. Head coach Alain Vigneault would not commit to a timetable on Stepan's return, but more details are expected to be released following surgery.
Stepan was listed as a game-time decision, but was on the ice for warmups skating on his regular line. He has 14 points in his last 12 games.
Stepan is riding a three-game goal scoring streak and the Rangers are in the thick of the Eastern Conference playoff race, so they want to see #21 suit up tonight. Martin St. Louis is also a game-time decision with the illness. Stepan has 15 goals and 35 assists (50 points) in 72 games, including 14 in his last 12.
Stepan, who was a restricted free agent, had been sitting out training camp as contract negotiations with the Rangers were ongoing. He led the Rangers in scoring last season with 26 assists, 44 points and a plus-25 rating in 48 games. Stepan, 23, has not missed a game in three seasons with the Rangers. He has 140 points on 56 goals and 84 assists in 212 games.
Stepan will stay in the lineup after all. The second line center scored 17 goals and 51 points in 81 games this season.
