Henrik Lundqvist waited just long enough to come onto the ice at the beginning of yesterday’s Rangers practice to put a scare into everybody watching. But eventually he skated out and participated fully with his team, putting to rest any worry that the left shoulder issue that arose at the end of Game 2 on Sunday afternoon in Boston would linger.
“It’s under control,” Lundqvist said at the MSG Training Facility in Westchester. “I landed on it awkwardly and it hurt a little bit, but it’s under control.”
With 4:52 remaining in the 5-2 Bruins win, which put the Rangers in a 2-0 hole in the Eastern Conference semifinal, Lundqvist made a save on Daniel Paille with his right side. He then jumped on the rebound, reaching out with his left glove hand. When he got up, he was stretching the shoulder and skating around in pain.
He finished the game, and there is little question he will be ready to play in tonight’s Game 3 at the Garden.
“Everybody is sore,” Lundqvist said. “It’s the playoffs. You can’t sit out because it’s hurting a little bit. It happens. You have to do the right things to keep it going.”
Asked whether giving up five goals could hurt his confidence going forward, Lundqvist didn’t waver.
“You’re never satisfied when you give up five goals, but you have to move on,” Lundqvist said. “Take the good parts and bring them with you, and try to learn something from it.”
* There is really very little the Rangers players or coaches can say about the power play at this point that might lead to a resolution.
When asked whether there is frustration building with the unit that is now 2-for-36 in the playoffs, Derek Stepan said, “No, we don’t even think about it at all, actually.”
In an hour-long practice yesterday, the Rangers didn’t work on the man-advantage.
“I don’t think we have to change much,” Stepan said. “We’ll continue to work on what we did last game, we’ll get better looks and we’ll score a goal.”
Added Rick Nash, “The power play has got to be better. We got to create more opportunities off it, more momentum, and also get that forecheck going.”
* Marc Staal (eye) and Darroll Powe (presumed concussion) skated with the scratches, after the full group of 20 guys who played in Games 1 and 2 (with the addition of backup goalie Martin Biron) had a full practice.
The notable absentee was forward Ryane Clowe, out with what is assumed to be his second concussion in two weeks suffered in Game 5 of the first round.