Tyler Motte injured after taking a blind-side hit in third period
Tyler Motte #64 of the Rangers leaves the ice following a hit from Anthony Angello #57 of the Pittsburgh Penguins during the third period at Madison Square Garden on April 07, 2022. Credit: Getty Images/Bruce Bennett
Forward Tyler Motte left the Rangers’ 3-0 win over the Penguins on Thursday night midway through the third period after taking a blind-side hit from forward Anthony Angello that led to a few angry confrontations between the teams.
Rangers coach Gerard Gallant had no report on Motte’s status after the game.
Angello, a 6-5, 210-pound right wing, hit the 5-10, 192-pound Motte with his shoulder and caught him high, possibly in the head. Motte went down and stayed down for several moments.
Rangers defenseman K’Andre Miller attempted to get at Angello, who was given a minor penalty for interference. There was another scrum by the boards in the Rangers’ end when the final horn sounded.
“That’s just gonna happen when stuff like [the hit on Motte] happened,’’ Gallant said. “There was nothing before that hit, and then obviously guys are unhappy about a hit like that. I didn’t think [the referees] took care of it with the right call.’’
Nemeth plays in place of Braun
Over the remaining three weeks of the season, Rangers coach Gerard Gallant will have to settle on which two of Patrik Nemeth, Braden Schneider and Justin Braun will be the third defensive pairing for the Blueshirts when the playoffs begin next month.
Gallant went with Patrik Nemeth and Braden Schneider as the third defensive pairing against the Penguins. Justin Braun, who scored on Tuesday in the win over the Devils in New Jersey, sat out.
“We’re going to try a couple different options here with our ‘D,’ ’’ Gallant said. “And we liked [that] Nemeth has played really well since he's come back too. So, it's just sort of, test and trial here, and see how things go.’’
Nemeth, who sat out the Devils game, is a lefthanded shot, while Braun and Schneider are both righthanders. So when those two play together, one – on Tuesday it was Braun – has to shift and play on the left side. Braun’s goal Tuesday came on a one-timer from the left point, off a pass from Schneider.
Blue notes
Nemeth replacing Braun was the only lineup change for the Rangers from Tuesday. D Libor Hajek and forwards Ryan Reaves, Greg McKegg and Julien Gauthier were the other scratches.
Colin Stephenson covers the Rangers for Newsday. He has spent more than two decades covering the NHL and just about every sports team in the New York metropolitan area.
More Rangers
