Ryan McDonagh: No concussion, Rangers say

GREENBURGH, N.Y. — Rangers captain Ryan McDonagh does not have a second concussion, but he will not play Sunday when the Blueshirts host the Detroit Red Wings.

The defenseman, who was felled by an elbow to the face from Maple Leafs forward Leo Komarov in the first period in Toronto on Thursday night, cleared concussion screenings Friday and Saturday, coach Alain Vigneault said, and also had a CT scan.

“He’s day-to-day,” Vigneault said. That’s a far better prognosis than many expected.

McDonagh, who missed four games after suffered a concussion when hit by an unexpected punch from Flyers forward Wayne Simmonds on Feb. 6, has a bruised jaw and neck spasms stemming from the high hit from Komarov, which drew a three-game suspension.

Vigneault did not offer a comment after the incident on Thursday but noted Saturday that based on conversations he’s had, “it’s safe to say there’s a confusion the way things are handed out [by the league] . . . you just deal with it. Different situations deal to different conclusions.”

Rookie Dylan McIlrath will step in for McDonagh on Sunday. The Rangers’ fourth line also will be different, with Daniel Paille placed on waivers Saturday. Paille, 31, who was signed as a free agent on Jan. 21, had no points in 12 games, was a minus-2 and was not as effective as hoped on the penalty kill.

“Dan, I thought, was all right in that he brings us depth,” Vigneault said. “I think we’re looking for a little upgrade there.”

General manager Jeff Gorton and associate coach Scott Arniel were expected to attend the Wolf Pack’s AHL game in Springfield last night and bring up a player for the fourth line.

“Right now, that’s the spot we have, so it will probably be more of a checker, a guy that can kill penalties,” Vigneault said. “Once they’ve talked to their coaches, if somebody else is playing above and beyond, then they’ll have to make that call.”

Among the possible call-ups are Marek Hrivik and Ryan Bourque. Hrivik, 24, is a 6-2, 200-pound left wing from Slovakia with seven goals and 27 points in 51 games, and could be the choice. Bourque, a 25-year-old center, is smaller and speedy, with 10 goals and 24 points in 51 games.

“I think it’s safe to say our expectations of that line is a little bit higher than what we’re getting at this time,” said Vigneault, who singled out Dominic Moore, 35, who edged out Jarret Stoll to keep his role as fourth-line center.

“Dom’s play needs to be better, there’s no doubt — not just faceoffs, there’s puck decisions and reads . . . the penalty-killing aspect, the defensive aspect, all areas that he’s done better in the past, he’s not doing as well right now,” Vigneault said. “The only player really that . . . [we’re] satisfied with what he’s bringing is Tanner [Glass]. I know what he’s going to bring, that physicality to the game.”