Kreider, Hagelin hit a few bumps
Chris Kreider #20 of the New York Rangers brings the puck up the ice against the Washington Capitals in Game Three of the Eastern Conference Semifinals. (May 2, 2012) Credit: Getty Images
GREENBURGH, N.Y. -- Rangers rookie Chris Kreider, who parachuted into the postseason directly from Boston College, played only 31 seconds in the third period in the Game 4 loss to the Capitals. Fellow first-year forward Carl Hagelin has no points in six games since returning from a three-game suspension for a hit on Ottawa captain Daniel Alfredsson.
"For all our kids, there's going to be bumps in the road," coach John Tortorella said Sunday. "[Kreider's] is more magnified because it's right in the middle of the playoffs, but I have full confidence that he's going to be able to handle that, learn from a couple mistakes and be better for it. He's got a good head on his shoulders. It's some struggles away from the puck for him. Sometimes it's good to watch [from the bench]. So we'll see where we go with it next game."
Hagelin, who had 38 points in 64 games during the season, has only eight shots in the past six games.
"He's been on pucks," Tortorella said. "You hope he scores a goal; you hope he makes a good pass to help score a goal. I don't think that's happened, but as far as his forechecking and creating puck possession for us, he's done a pretty good job of that.''
No Ovechkin disciplineAlex Ovechkin is expected to be in the Capitals' lineup. The forward, who has two goals in the last three games, was not contacted by the league for a disciplinary hearing after his charging penalty in which he skated past the puck and left his feet for a high hit to Dan Girardi's head at 12:17 of the second period in Game 4.
Ice chips
Mats Zuccarello (fractured wrist) will miss his 12th game and Brandon Dubinsky (foot) will miss his fifth straight . . . After a team meeting, a dozen Rangers skated in Sunday's optional practice.
