Derek Stepan Wears Facemask During Rangers’ Morning Skate (Photos)

New York Rangers forward Derek Stepan may be back in the Blueshirts’ lineup for Game 5 of the Eastern Conference finals after all.

Stepan missed the Rangers’ Game 4 overtime win after breaking his jaw in Game 3. The New York forward was leveled by a big hit from Montreal Canadiens forward Brandon Prust that led the NHL to suspend Prust for two games.

The hit also landed Stepan in the hospital after he finished the game with the broken jaw. He underwent surgery, but it was unknown when he’d return to action.

That could be as early as Tuesday night, as Stepan participated in the team’s morning skate in Montreal ahead of Game 5. He did so with a large facemask protecting his broken jaw.

However, New York head coach Alain Vigneault told reporters after morning skate that Stepan’s status is still up in the air.

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See photos of Stepan in his new mask below.

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