Morning Player Notes in the Playoffs (Apr 12)

The New York Rangers are still saying that their captain, Ryan McDonagh, is day-to-day with his upper-body injury, but they confirmed on Monday, that he won't be starting this series against the Pittsburgh Penguins.  The injury is believed to be some broken bones in his hand, so the player and the team are now waiting to see when he will be able to grip a stick in a tolerable amount of pain.

The Rangers definitely have the Penguins in a vulnerable spot, with a potential goaltending mismatch, so if they're able to pour on the offense, they should be okay through the first round, at the very least.  In theory.

St. Louis Blues had Jake Allen back in their nets at practice on Monday, but the plan is still to have Brian Elliott start in Game 1 against Chicago.  The tandem are going to be hard pressed to keep the Blackhawks offense off the scoresheet and both will be working from short leashes, trying not to let any game get away.

Allen is the Box 12 rep for the Blues in these playoffs and I get the feeling that we'll see him before too long, but his injury did set him back a week or two, so he'll have to get back up to speed soon, if he's going to take over the net.