McQuaid to the IR … Rangers being cautious with Howden
Brett Cyrgalis: The New York Rangers have put defenseman Adam McQuaid on the IR and recalled forward Lias Andersson.
Brett Cyrgalis: Rangers coach David Quinn on Brett Howden‘s injury: “certainly we’ll err on the side of caution.”
Colin Stephenson: Howden when asked yesterday if he can play today: “Right now, we’re just taking it day by day – precautionary reasons. I feel good, but we’re just kind of taking it day by day. Just wait and see.”
Pysyk close to returning
Jameson Olive: Florida Panthers defenseman Mark Pysyk has been practicing for a while now and they may find out after practice today if he’s ready to return to the lineup.
Flyers goaltending injuries
John Boruk of NBC Sports Philadelphia: Philadelphia Flyers goaltender Brian Elliott left practice holding his head on Sunday after a collision with Travis Konecny.
GM Ron Hextall said that Elliott will be examined by doctors when they return to Philadelphia.
Hextall also said that goaltender Michal Neuvirth is a few days away from re-joining that the team. An undisclosed injury caused him to miss last Thursday’s game.
The Flyers have recalled goaltender Alex Lyon.
Backes on his concussions
Matt Kalman of WEEI: Boston Bruins forward David Backes returned to the lineup over the weekend. He had missed their past five games with a concussion – his third while with the Bruins.
Backes hasn’t gotten to the point where he’d consider stepping away from the game because of concussions.
“Haven’t got to that point. I’m still enjoying the game and being around the guys and doing what we do,” Backes told WEEI.com after the rest of the media cleared out of the Bruins’ dressing room at Warrior Ice Arena Monday. “Is there going to be long-term effects? Hopefully not. But if you’ve got that answer for me and could tell me, then I can make an even better decision.
“But I don’t feel like I’m cognitively impaired at all from the contact I’ve taken. I’ve been given some recommendations dietary-wise, being cognitively active while you’re playing, after you’re playing, are all things that help you out. And we’ll deal with what we’ve got, I guess.”