In this May 22, 2014 file photo, New York Rangers center Derek Stepan (21) lies on the ice after taking a hit from Montreal Canadiens forward Brandon Prust during the first period of Game 3 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup playoffs Eastern Conference finals in New York. Stepan has a broken jaw and is undergoing surgery. Rangers coach Alain Vigneault made the surprising announcement Friday, May 23, 2014, on the first of two off days in the series New York leads 2-1. Prust wasn't penalized in the first period of Montreal's 3-2 overtime win Thursday night, but he faces an NHL hearing Friday and a possible suspension. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)
May 24, 2014 - 9:44 AM
NEW YORK, N.Y. - With Derek Stepan recovering from surgery and Dan Carcillo suspended, the New York Rangers got some good news Saturday with word that Derick Brassard is healthy for Game 4 of the Eastern Conference final with Montreal.
The Rangers centre left early in Game 1 after being checked by Canadiens defenceman Mike Weaver and has not played since.
Brassard told reporters after practice that he was good to go from what was termed an upper body injury.
As for Stepan, coach Alain Vigneault says he was in hospital recovering from surgery to repair a broken jaw. Montreal forward Brandon Prust was suspended for two games by the league for the blindside hit.
Carcillo, meanwhile, was suspended 10 games for jostling a linesman in the aftermath of the Prust hit.
Game 4 is Sunday night at Madison Square Garden. The Rangers lead the series two games to one.
News from © The Canadian Press, 2014