1:14PM: Gerard Gallant spoke after practice and said (NYR):
- Were you concerned Trouba would hear from the Department of Player Safety, “No, I wasn’t really, from what I saw.”
- What was your view on it, “it was a play in the slot. Obviously, as great a player as Sid is, he does a lot of twisting and turning and spinning away from guys and Trouba went to play the puck and his elbow got up a little high on him but there was no intent. He wasn’t trying to hurt anybody or running people through the glass, that is for sure.”
- Is Tyler Motte possible for tomorrow, “I think so, but I’m not sure. I gotta check with the trainers. He had his first full practice, today, with us and everything looks good. I’d say he’s a game-time decision, but I gotta get a clearing from the doctors and trainers before, but today was a good first step.”
- How does Lindgren feel today, “Today is an optional skate, obviously he wasn’t going to skate today. I think he feels fine. I’m not concerned about him being ready to go tomorrow.”
- How big would getting Motte back be, “It would be great. His speed, penalty killing, a defensive player. He’d be a big help for our club, definitely.”
- Can Trouba handle being a target from Pittsburgh, “I don’t think it bothers him one bit. He plays his game the way he plays his game. Again, Trouba isn’t out there to hurt Sidney Crosby, that isn’t our goal, our goal is to play physical hockey and it was an unfortunate play. There is no intent to hurt anybody out there.”
- On Trouba’s game, “I think he plays solid every game for us. He plays big minutes against the best players. Last night he scored a key goal, obviously, and that was huge and I think he’s played good all series long.”
12:36 PM: Tyler Motte was on the ice at the Rangers optional practice. (NYR)
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Ryan Lindgren, Artemi Panarin, Andrew Copp, Ryan Strome and Adam Fox all did not skate at the optional practice. (Staple)