It’s hard to overstate just how much Ryan McDonagh means to the New York Rangers. As the team’s top defenseman and captain, he impacts the games in many ways. That is why there was some major concern when McDonagh left the Rangers’ bench during the first period of Game 7 of the Eastern Conference finals against the Tampa Bay Lightning before ever taking a shift.
Minutes after the game started, McDonagh exited the bench and headed to the team's dressing room with athletic trainer Jim Ramsay.
McDonagh did end up returning to the bench after the midway point of the first period. He took just three shifts at the end of the first period. It would appear that if he is being utilized at all, it will be sparingly.
It is unclear what happened, but McDonagh's brief exit may explain why New York dressed seven defensemen for Game 7. James Sheppard, who scored a goal in Game 6, was the player scratched from the forward lineup in favor of adding defenseman Matt Hunwick.
The captain has taken some heavy hits in these playoffs, so it wouldn't be surprising if there was wear and tear, but to miss an extended portion of the first period suggests something more than that.
In 18 playoff games this year, McDonagh has nine points while averaging 23:50 per game.
We'll have more updates if any become available, but this will obviously be a situation worth monitoring for the remainder of Game 7.
