The Rangers had an eventful game in Philly against the Flyers on Saturday, where the team left with a shoot out win, where rookie Oscar Lindberg dropped the gloves for the first time, and where captain Ryan McDonagh suffered a now confirmed concussion.
Recap
In the first period McDonagh came into contact with Flyers’ forward Wayne Simmonds. Simmonds came up to check McDonagh, McDonagh had already passed the puck, and Simmonds checked him anyway.
Mac put his arms, and stick, up in a defensive way to protect himself from the hit. Simmonds retaliated to this movement and ended up sucker punching the team captain in the face. You can watch the contact here:
Simmonds had also shown anger and frustration with the linesmen who separated him from the Ranger. Simmonds received a match penalty and was ejected from the game.
No Review for Simmonds
Wayne Simmonds did not receive NHL supplemental discipline for gloved punch to Ryan McDonagh’s jaw. Got match penalty and game misconduct.
— Andrew Gross (@AGrossNewsday) February 8, 2016
Despite the match penalty and the game misconduct that he received, Simmonds was not reviewed by the league for any further consequence. He did not miss the Flyers’ next day game against the Capitals and did not have any further punishment.
While many might argue that Simmonds’ actions were not suspension-worthy or that perhaps McDonagh had done more damage, McDonagh was working in defense while Simmonds was working with intent to injure. Simmonds had also violated some rules when he retaliated against linesmen on ice.
AV says "an All-Star player gets sucker punched…" wonders what NHL response would be if it happened to Sidney Crosby.
— Andrew Gross (@AGrossNewsday) February 8, 2016
McDonagh’s Confirmed Concussion
The Rangers announced Monday morning that the captain had sustained a concussion in Saturday’s game in Philly as a result of Simmonds hit on him.
Now, the Rangers are without their captain and one of their best defensive players. Down two big-name players (McDonagh and forward Rick Nash) the Rangers will be taking the ice against the Devils on Monday night with new defensive pairs.
With another injury on defense we can expect to see rookie Dylan Mcilrath taking the ice against the Devils. Coach Alain Vigneault has confirmed McIlrath’s play, who is likely to play on the left side in the match.
Vigneault says McIlrath will play tonight but he & Gorton are discussing options for games after this one vs. Devils with McDonagh out
— Pat Leonard (@PLeonardNYDN) February 8, 2016
How well McIlrath performs on the left side against the Devils will likely confirm whether or not a lefty d-man will be recalled from the AHL.
The Rangers take on the Devils in Madison Square Garden, with their new defensive pairs, at 7 p.m.