Injury could sideline Jagr for rest of playoffs
With Rangers trailing by 4 goals, star hurt late in game while killing penalty
 Jim Mcisaac / Getty Images | Jaromir Jagr of the Rangers suffered an apparent "uppder body injury" late in the third period of a 6-1 loss to the Devils on Saturday. |
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EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. - Jaromir Jagr’s attempted swipe at Scott Gomez left the New York Rangers’ star forward with an injury that could sideline him in the playoffs.
With the Rangers trailing by four goals and virtually no chance of coming back late in the third period Saturday, Jagr was sent out by coach Tom Renney to get what he called “practice” in penalty killing. Jagr tried to hit Gomez, New Jersey’s second leading scorer, and lunged toward him.
He didn’t connect and then stumbled as he appeared to stretch his arm out awkwardly.
Right after Patrik Elias scored the Devils’ final goal in the 6-1 opening victory of the best-of-seven series, Jagr was escorted to the dressing room and favored his left arm.
Renney only confirmed that Jagr had an “upper body injury,” and the right winger who finished second in the NHL with 54 goals and 123 points didn’t offer any more details or any assurance he’d be able to play Monday night in Game 2.
He is expected to be evaluated by doctors Sunday. He didn't participate in the team's 45-minute practice.
“I don’t know what is going to happen tomorrow. After that, if I’m ready to play, I’ll play,” he said. “It doesn’t matter. We have to get ready for the next game whether I play or not.”
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If the Rangers don’t have Jagr in the lineup, they will have to figure out how to stop the Devils’ offense while trying to replace the player who had a hand in nearly 50 percent of their goals in the regular season.
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“We can win,” he said. “You always have to believe.”
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That put them on the road to start their first postseason appearance since 1997 instead of inside the friendly confines of Madison Square Garden.
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