DRURY MAY MISS GAME 4
The Rangers managed to win Game 1 of their series against the Capitals without Chris Drury, and they won Game 2 with their captain debilitated by an injured right hand or wrist.
Last night, they weren’t as fortunate — and now it appears Drury’s status for tomorrow’s Game 4 is in question.
The center was ineffective in last night’s 4-0 defeat at the Garden. Especially disturbing was the fact he was only able to play two shifts in the third period, and both Drury and John Tortorella admitted that there was an injury issue.
Asked if he was concerned about Drury’s health, the head coach said: “Sure I am.”
Drury has been known as a particularly durable player, so a problem, especially at this time of year, is alarming.
“Everybody knows how Chris is,” Tortorella said of Drury’s toughness. “It’s a concern. It’s something we need to think through here. We’ll see how he is [today] and go to work on it.”
The Rangers clearly need Drury to regain his form, especially against a Washington team that got a boost in confidence from a decisive victory.
But Drury admitted he was not able to do what he wanted to do physically.
“No, not really,” Drury said. “But I’m healthy enough to dress. And if you’re healthy enough to be in the lineup, you gotta find a way to help the team, and I’ll continue to find a way to try and do that.”
If that doesn’t happen — Aaron Voros was the only healthy scratch last night — it’s possible the Rangers might recall Artem Anisinov from Hartford, which is in the middle of the AHL playoffs.
Of course, the Rangers would much rather see Drury get healthy enough to stay on the ice. They will likely need all the help they can get against the Capitals, who impressed Drury.
“They were buzzing pretty good,” Drury said. “It seemed like they had their legs, and their top players had a heck of a game.”
The Rangers hope Drury can say the same of himself tomorrow.
