NYR-Devs preview: John Moore concussed; Dorsett has flu

          Greetings from Newark in the spring, where the Rangers defense is a little thinner with John Moore sidelined by concussion symptoms.

            Moore, who had played in 69 games and recently had been on the point of the second unit of the power play, was injured on a hit by former Islander Blake Comeau in the first period in Columbus Friday. He skated off to the trainers’ room, returned to the bench and played one shift in the second, but was kept off the ice in the third period. “He’ll be evaluated on a day-to-day basis,” coach Alain Vigneault said Saturday.

           Subbing for Moore, 23, who played 70 games and was 3-10-13 and a plus -6, was Raphael Diaz, 28, who was acquired from Vancouver at the trade deadline for a fifth-round draft pick. A right-hander who also played in Montreal, Diaz made his Rangers debut skating on the left of Kevin Klein. He has five goals and 38 assists in 134 NHL games.

            “He’s a safe, effective defenseman that can help out on the power play,” said Vigneault. “He’s going to play the left side, a side he has never played before, but in this league you have to be versatile.” Skilled defensemen, said Vigneault, can adapt, and cited Ryan Mcdonagh’s shift to the right side while playing for Team USA in Sochi.  

           Have thought J.T. Miller would be called up when the Wolf Pack season ends, and now I suspect Conor Allen could be as well, or sooner. and the Rangers could be looking for another experienced defenseman.

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            Shorter shifts have been an element in the Rangers’ wins, Vigneault said prior to the game, which was the second in two nights and third in four nights. “Part of our success is that we play 20-25 seconds (rather than a customary 30-40); I’m hoping that’s going to happen tonight.”

          The shifts can help teams “that play at a fast pace and a fast level” Vigneault, said and noted that the Winter Olympic gold-medal winners, Team Canada, had all players skating 20-25 second shifts. “Nobody was extending,” Vigneault said, and it showed, not just offensively but defensively.”

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           Vigneault is riding Lundqvist against Brodeur, and you wonder if this will be the veteran's last game as a Devil in this rivalry. There's talk of him moving on in the summer....Fourth-liner Derek Dorsett also was out with a stomach flu, and replaced by Dan Carcillo, and depending on how two banged up, unnamed (by Vigneault) players feel in warmups, there could be more subs....Ryan Haggerty?

         Back with more when I know more...