Rangers' Stepan had surgery to stabilize jaw, unlikely to play in Game 4
For the next two games, Canadiens forward Brandon Prust will be seated in the press box after launching his shoulder into the face of Derek Stepan, and ultimately breaking the talented forward's jaw.
Once it was revealed that Stepan would require surgery to stabilize the fracture, one would assume that Prust would return to the series far before his victim.
But as TSN's Darren Dreger points out, that's not necessarily the case.
Stepan had a plate inserted to stabilize fractured jaw. Still unclear as to whether or not he will be able to play. #toughdude
— Darren Dreger (@DarrenDreger) May 24, 2014
After Saturday's practice, Rangers head coach Alain Vigneault wasn't overly optimistic but didn't rule out Stepan's availability.
AV on Stepan: "He's in hospital now recovering from surgery"..adds it's "unlikely" he will play tomorrow #NYRPlayoffs
— New York Rangers (@NYRangers) May 24, 2014
Should Stepan feature in New York's Game 4 lineup, the incident won't come without minor recoil; Dan Carcillo was suspended 10 games for shoving an official while searching for retribution on Prust.