There won’t be a miracle return to the ice in Game 4 for New York Rangers forward Derek Stepan.
Rangers coach Alain Vigneault officially ruled Stepan out of action with a broken jaw suffered in his Game 3 collision with Montreal Canadiens forward Brandon Prust.
“He’s recovering at home,” Vigneault said. “He stopped by this morning quickly to say hi to his teammates. He’s recovering at home, and there is no timetable at this time.”
According to TSN’s Darren Dreger, Stepan was released from the hospital on Saturday night following surgery to put a plate in his jaw to help with the healing.
ESPN’s Katie Strang says J.T. Miller is expected to be in the Rangers lineup. With Stepan out and Daniel Carcillo serving his 10-game suspension while awaiting his appeal to be heard, it opened a spot for Miller to jump back in. Derick Brassard’s return to action after missing most of Game 1 and all of Games 2 and 3 will help soften the blow of losing Stepan.