New York Rangers news: Brassard likely back for Game 3; Tokarski to start again for Montreal
Derick Brassard looks like he'll be back in the lineup for Game 3, while Michel Therrien announced Dustin Tokarski as Montreal's starter.
A day ahead of Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Finals, the Rangers and Canadiens both practiced on Wednesday before the series shifts to New York. With the Blueshirts holding a 2-0 lead, there was good news today out of Madison Square Garden where the Rangers are skating, as Derick Brassard is back in full capacity, wearing a red contact jersey.
Derick Brassard seeming to practice regularly here at the Garden. #NYR
— Brett Cyrgalis (@BrettCyrgalis) May 21, 2014 Brassard is expected to be ready to go Thursday night, while there's been no definitive statement from Alain Vigneault on the matter, nor on who will come out for Brassard. Daniel Carcillo was inserted into the lineup for Game 2 with Brassard absent. Benoit Pouliot was not on the ice Wednesday, but was reportedly taking a maintenance day.
In Montreal, the lineup was status quo at Habs practice, with head coach Michel Therrien confirming rookie goaltender Dustin Tokarski will be back in net for Game 3.
Michel Therrien confirms Dustin Tokarski will start Gm 3 for #Habs
— Аrpon Basu (@ArponBasu) May 21, 2014 The only other news out of Montreal was that Therrien was testing different line combinations at practice, bumping Thomas Vanek down to his fourth unit.
#Habs practice lines: Pacioretty - Desharnais - Gallagher Galchenyuk - Plekanec - Gionta Bourque - Eller - Weise Prust - Brière - Vanek
— John Lu (@JohnLuTSNMtl) May 21, 2014 During Game 2, Vanek skated on a line with Alex Galchenyuk and Tomas Plekanec. The only line that was intact from Game 2 on the above rushes was the Max Pacioretty line, as both Dale Weise and Brian Gionta were bumped up with Vanek's demotion.
Acquired by Montreal at the trade deadline, Vanek logged a career low in a playoff game during the Habs Game 2 loss, only skating 11:41. He's registered five goals and three assists in 13 playoff games for the Canadiens so far, but that includes two multi-goal games.
