Dan Girardi News

Girardi will not play Saturday vs. the Red Wings, so Jan Rutta was recalled from the AHL and will replace Girardi on the third-pairing.

Girardi is doing better but won’t play tonight in Edmonton. With Girardi out again, the Lightning’s blueline is expected to remain the exact same as Saturday’s game in Vancouver.

Girardi avoided disaster after taking a slap shot to the neck on Sunday and all tests came back negative. The Lightning called Girardi day-to-day yesterday but he was back on the ice for the morning skate and it looks like he could play alongside Mikhail Sergachev tonight.

The Lightning received great information on Girardi’s status after all tests came back negative. Girardi had to be tended to by both team’s trainers on Sunday after he was hit in the back of the neck by a Martin Frk slapshot. "One of the scariest things I've ever seen in hockey," Lightning coach Jon Cooper said. This is great news for Girardi, but don’t expect to see him Tuesday vs. the Senators.

Girardi’s production started to slip in recent years, leading to the Rangers buying him out this spring. Girardi will likely play a lesser role in Tampa Bay, which will be better suited for the 33-year-old defenseman, who was leaned on heavily in New York. Girardi has failed to top 20 points in three of the last four seasons.

Girardi sat out of Sunday’s game after “feeling some tightness” following Saturday’s game, but he will replace Kevin Klein in the lineup tonight in San Jose. Girardi has 13 points (4G / 9A) in 57 games this season.

Girardi has been sidelined by an ankle injury since February 28th, but is nearing a return to the lineup. Girardi will travel to New Jersey, but head coach Alain Vigneault will stick with the same lineup that beat the Wild on Saturday.

The Rangers are already without Kevin Klein (back spasms) so they only have five healthy defensemen with Girardi out. Consider him as day-to-day and monitor his status prior to Thursday’s game in Boston.

Girardi missed the last two games with a foot injury, but he will replace Adam Clendening in the lineup tonight in Columbus. Girardi is not known for his offensive prowess, so he comes into play on Monday with just 10 points (3G / 7A) in 49 games season.

Girardi is day-to-day because his ankle is swollen and needed stitches after Tuesday’s game vs. the Ducks. With Girardi out, Nick Holden should move up and play with Ryan McDonagh and Adam Clendening will draw back into the lineup.

Girardi has missed the last three games with a groin injury, but it looks like he will return tonight vs. the Coyotes. Girardi has one assist in two games and will replace Adam Clendening in the lineup.

Girardi has missed the Rangers’ last two games and will miss his third consecutive on Saturday. However, he it doesn’t sound like he will be out much longer and could return to the lineup as soon as Sunday.

Girardi is listed as day-to-day with a groin strain that he suffered on Saturday in St. Louis. It was originally called a hip flexor injury, but the Rangers announced this morning that he is dealing with a groin injury. With Girardi out, look for Dylan McIlrath to make his season debut.