Photo Credit: Graig Abel/NHLI via Getty Images
Leo Komarov of the Toronto Maple Leafs has been suspended three games for elbowing New York Rangers captain Ryan McDonagh during their most recent matchup. Komarov received a match penalty for the elbow to the hit that happened late in the first period. McDonagh, who was recently put back into the lineup after a recent concussion, did not return to the game after the hit.
The Rangers managed to beat the Leafs by a score of 4-2 without their captain. The Maple Leafs opened the scoring with a goal from Pierre-Alexandre Parenteau almost four minutes into the first period. New York managed to get on the board with a power play goal by Derick Brassard shortly after the second period began. Rangers forward Mats Zuccarello put his team up two goals with a backhand goal about five minutes later. Just when fans thought the game was coming to a close in the Rangers’ favor, Toronto tied the game up with a Colin Greening wrist shot with just three minutes left in the game. About 50 seconds later, however, Rangers center Derek Stepan took the lead back and the game was secured with an empty net goal by Derick Brassard a minute later.
It is unfortunate that Ryan McDonagh was taken out of commission so soon after he just came back from a concussion. It looks as if the Rangers will have to yet again stay strong and band together to keep trying for those wins if McDonagh is sidelined for an extended period of time. Hopefully, McDonagh is alright, as another head injury would do nothing to help him or his team as the race to the playoffs begin.
Fans can watch the New York Rangers square off against the Detroit Red Wings on Sunday at 7PM on NBCSN.
