The Rangers provided no information regarding the status of Rick Nash or Ryan McDonagh, but both players are expected to miss tonight’s game at the Garden against the Jets with believed post-concussion-like symptoms.
This would mark the fourth straight missed by Nash, but the first for McDonagh, who did not play after being checked face-first into the glass by Max Pacioretty at 7:20 of the second period of Saturday’s 3-0 defeat in Montreal.
Arron Asham, sidelined for the last two games with lower back issues, is expected to miss his third straight.
But Darroll Powe, who had played an important even-strength support role and critical role on the penalty kill in six games since his Feb. 3 acquisition from the Wild, will rejoin the lineup after coming off Injured Reserve with the concussion he sustained against the Capitals on Feb. 17.
Michael Del Zotto, who missed Saturday’s game with a hip or leg issue the defenseman sustained midway through the third period of Thursday’s game in Ottawa, will face Winnipeg after going through a full practice yesterday.
As will Dan Girardi, who somehow escaped injury after his right ankle took the full force of a PK Subban blast in the waning minutes of Saturday’s match.
Girardi, who went down to block the shot with 1:20 to play and the Canadiens on a two-man power play advantage while holding a 3-0 lead, said it never occurred to him to change his approach because of the game situation.
“That’s the way I play and it’s the way we all play,” Girardi told The Post. “I think anyone in that position would approach it the same way.
“If I jump out of the way there because of the [game situation], that’s not setting a good example for the team. I don’t think anyone in here would do that.”
* Coach John Tortorella dismissed criticism of the team for not retaliating against Pacioretty or the Canadiens for his blow on McDonagh. “Our team was fine,” he said. “I have full faith in the toughness of our team to know how to handle these situations.”