Author: Adam Rotter

The NHL has announced that Gerard Gallant has been named a finalist for the Jack Adams Award.

The award is presented annually “to the coach adjudged to have contributed the most to his team’s success.”

No Ranger coach has ever won the award but Alain Vigneault (2014-15), John Tortorella (2011-12), Tom Renney (2005-06), Roger Neilson (1989-90, 1991-92), and Fred Shero (1978-79) have all been finalists.

Calgary’s Darryl Sutter and Florida’s Andrew Brunette are the other finalists.

Gerard Gallant spoke after the Game One loss and said (MSG, NYR):

• On the loss, “Definitely a tough loss, but we’ve been there, done that. Gotta battle back.”
• On the game, “I was really happy with our game. They put a big push on in the third period, the first 10 minutes, and we weathered that storm, but the first two periods were perfect hockey for us. We didn’t spend a lot of time in our zone, we got pucks out, we had real good offensive chances, and didn’t capitalize on all of them, but I thought it was our best game of the year, I really did.”

First Period:

• Filip Chytil (2) Assists: Alexis Lafreniere (3)

Second Period:

Third Period:

• Sebastian Aho (3) Assists: Seth Jarvis (3), Teuvo Teravainen (6)

Overtime:

• Ian Cole (1) Assists: Jesperi Kotkaniemi (1), Brendan Smith (2)

5:52 PM: Gerard Gallant spoke this morning and said (NYR):

• On Sammy Blais skating, “was he out? Good, that’s great. It’s a great sign, he worked hard and he’s at that stage where he can start to skate and it’s awesome.”
• Is it possible he returns in the playoffs, “it’s possible.”
• But not this series, “I’m not going to rule him out today. You can probably figure that out.”
• Has Goodrow been on the ice, “Not with our team. I don’t know if he skated himself or not, I don’t think so….but doing much better. “

The Rangers open the second round of the playoffs in Carolina tonight at 7 PM on ESPN.

The Hurricanes won three of the four meetings with the Rangers this season.

Carolina outscored the Rangers 14-10 and outshot the Rangers 140 to105.

The Rangers only win against Carolina came with Alex Georgiev stopped all 44 shots in a 2-0 win.

Carolina includes former Rangers Derek Stepan, Jesper Fast, Tony DeAngelo, Brady Skjei, Brendan Smith and Antti Raanta.

Gerard Gallant met with the media following practice today and said (NYR):

• Any concern with Lindgren not practicing, “no concern at all. Give him the extra day.”
• What is the key for tomorrow, “It’s game one, be ready to play and compete and battle hard. We know they are a good hockey team, Pittsburgh was a good hockey team, we gotta be ready to play our game, compete, battle.”