Rangers will be without Barclay Goodrow for rest of first round
Rangers center Barclay Goodrow (21) checks Pittsburgh Penguins center Evan Rodrigues during the first period of Game 1 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup first-round playoff series Tuesday, May 3, 2022. Credit: AP/Adam Hunger
GREENBURGH, N.Y. — The Rangers got some tough injury news Friday as they prepared to head to Pittsburgh for Game 3 of their first-round playoff series against the Penguins.
After an optional skate at the team’s practice facility, coach Gerard Gallant told reporters that Barclay Goodrow, who has a lower-body injury, likely will miss the rest of the first round.
“It’s week-to-week, but it’s probably not going to be in this series. I can’t see that,” Gallant said. “I think you guys know what he brings to our team and we’re going to miss him in all of those spots. He can play anywhere and any position, and he’s a character guy, a leader.”
The injury is believed to have happened in Game 1 when Goodrow stuck out his leg to block a shot from Mike Matheson in the second period.
A two-time Stanley Cup champion with the Lightning, Goodrow was supposed to be one of the players Gallant could look to for guidance during the playoffs. That’s why the Rangers made acquiring him one of their top priorities last summer.
“He’s obviously a big player for us and we’re going to miss him, but we love the depth of our team,” defenseman Jacob Trouba said. “It’s not like he’s gone. He’s here today. He’s still around. He’s a big part of what we do and his attitude, his energy is still around the rink . . . Obviously, he’s bummed right now, but he’s still got a smile on his face and chatting up with everybody and helping guys where he can.”
The feeling was upbeat at the practice facility with the series tied at one win apiece.
The Rangers rebounded from a triple-overtime loss in Game 1 on Tuesday by grinding out a 5-2 victory over the Penguins on Thursday at Madison Square Garden.
“It’s just two evenly matched teams and it’s going to be a battle and close hockey games,” Gallant said when asked what his message to the team was as the Rangers headed to Pittsburgh. “There’s going to be mistakes made on both sides, but it’s pretty exciting hockey, both games I watched. It’s not always perfect for either team, but I think it’s good hockey.”
The Rangers’ biggest challenge in dealing with the Penguins is how to limit the damage done by the line of Sidney Crosby, Jake Guentzel and Bryan Rust. Crosby and his linemates have produced five of the team’s six goals in the series and Crosby has dominated on faceoffs.
“You’re talking one of the best lines in the league,” Gallant said. “Right now, they are playing outstanding. That line has been really tough to handle and manage. We are doing the best we can. There’s no perfect matchup for those guys.”
Trouba said there’s two ways to look at it.
“It’s great that the other three lines haven’t put up as many points, but at the same time, you’ve got a line that’s scored a lot of goals,” he said. “That line has scored a lot of goals all year. You aren’t just going to turn off the chances, I don’t think. You do your best to limit them. At the end of the day, they are three really good players and they are going to get some opportunities.”
Barbara Barker is an award-winning columnist and features writer in the sports department at Newsday. She has covered sports in New York for more than 20 years.
