Still apparently lying in a hospital bed on Saturday afternoon recovering from surgery on his broken jaw, Derek Stepan was declared “unlikely” to play in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference finals on Sunday night at the Garden, according to coach Alain Vigneault.
Yet a roster conundrum was skirted soon thereafter when another important pivot, Derick Brassard, declared he would be ready to play after missing the past two games with an upper-body injury.
“I didn’t play [in Games 2 and 3] because I didn’t feel 100 percent, and the reason I am playing [Sunday] is because I am 100 percent,” said Brassard, whose team is up in the best-of-seven, 2-1. “Injuries are part of the game, but when you’re left out, you’re sidelined at this time of year, it’s a really tough time. So I’m really excited to get back.”
Brassard made that declaration right after coming off the practice ice, and it caught Vigneault somewhat by surprise.
“He cleared himself before he spoke to me,” Vigneault said, “so he must be feeling better than he was [Friday].”
If Stepan is out — a sentiment the Canadiens are questioning — it seems like Vigneault will put Dominic Moore in his place between Rick Nash and Chris Kreider, while Brassard will got back to his regular place between Benoit Pouliot and Mats Zuccarello.
Montreal coach Michel Therrien also added his team expected Brassard to play and, “We know exactly where he’s injured.”
Vigneault said J.T. Miller will play for the suspended Dan Carcillo, likely on the fourth line with Brian Boyle and Derek Dorsett.
“It’s an important part of the season and if I get the call, I have to not let nerves get to me,” said the 21-year-old Miller, who has played three games this postseason, most recently Game 4 of the second round against the Penguins. “I have to try to think it’s just a normal game.”
Chris Kreider was given a “maintenance day” and didn’t practice, yet Vigneault said there was no concern at all about his availability for Game 4.