Rangers' Ryan Lindgren continues to tough it out
Rangers defenseman Ryan Lindgren (55) and center Mika Zibanejad (93) celebrate after Game 2 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup playoffs Eastern Conference finals against the Tampa Bay Lightning, Friday, June 3, 2022, in New York. Credit: AP/John Minchillo
TAMPA, Fla. — There was a moment in the first period of Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Final on Friday when Rangers defenseman Ryan Lindgren was doubled over in pain on the ice. He skated off early, going to the bench before the shift was over.
Given how banged up Lindgren has been in this postseason, things didn’t look good at that moment for him. But after getting some attention from athletic trainer Jim Ramsay, Lindgren was back on the ice for his next shift. He ended up playing 19 minutes, 27 seconds in the Rangers’ 3-2 win, about two minutes less than his playoff average (21:28).
It’s come to the point that coach Gerard Gallant will see Lindgren leave the ice in pain and almost think nothing of it because he expects him to be back playing before long.
“I haven’t been concerned once,’’ Gallant said Saturday as the Rangers prepared for Game 3 against the Lightning on Sunday.
In fact, Lindgren, who missed four games in the first round with a lower-body injury after blocking a shot in Game 1, is becoming less of a worry as the playoffs keep going.
“The more games he plays, the healthier he’s getting,’’ Gallant said.
“I feel better and better,’’ Lindgren said. “I can’t say enough about Jim Ramsay and how much he helps and you know, gets you prepared on off days and before games.’’
Lindgren has one goal, three assists and eight penalty minutes in 13 playoff games. He leads the team with a plus-10 rating and is third (behind Jacob Trouba and Adam Fox) in blocked shots with 31.
“He’s a warrior, for sure,’’ Tyler Motte said. “It makes you proud to be a teammate for someone like that that goes to battle when maybe he’s not 100% every night . . . He does everything for the team.’’
Kreider one away
Chris Kreider enters Game 3 with nine goals in these playoffs and 33 in his career, one shy of tying the late Rod Gilbert for the most playoff goals in franchise history.
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.
