NYR VS OTT'Big boost' for Senators if Alfredsson suits up

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ALFIE ON ICE

Don't rule out Ottawa Senators captain Daniel Alfredsson for Game 3 at Scotiabank Place on Monday night (CBC, CBCSports.ca, 7:30 p.m. ET).

Alfredsson, 39, who was elbowed in the head by Rangers forward Carl Hagelin Saturday night, was on the ice for the morning skate and told a throng of reporters afterwards he'll be a game-time decision.

Alfredsson skated on a line with Kyle Turris and Nick Foligno and looked fine.

"Yesterday was better than the night before," Alfredsson said. "I went for a bike ride and felt pretty good.

"I was active at home with the kids. I felt pretty good this morning, the next step is today.

"I will see how I feel after. Every situation is different.

"You take it as it comes. You can't force something like this."

The Senators were happy to see Alfredsson back.

"It was really good to see him out there," Senators forward Nick Foligno said. "Hopefully, he's ready to go tonight.

"If he's not, we have to be able to make sure we're ready to go and guys need to step it up just like we did last game. It would be a big boost if he's out there."

Senators head coach Paul MacLean confirmed Alfredsson passed his baseline test, which means he's clear to play if he feels fine.

HAGGLING OVER HAGELIN

With Alfredsson looking like he could return, there are many who want the three-game suspension to Hagelin reduced.

That's not going to happen.

Speaking on WFAN radio in New York, NHL disciplinarian Brendan Shanahan said Monday he was given medical advice by the Ottawa doctors and took that into consideration. They told him they didn't know if Alfredsson would miss "one day or one year."

Shanahan said Hagelin's hit was intentional and that's why he was given a three-game suspension.

"I do think Carl Hagelin's a good kid," Shanahan said. "He looks right at Daniel Alfredsson, skates at him and elbows him right in the head and Alfredsson has to leave a big game -- an important game -- and has a concussion and doesn't come back."

NOT TALKING

John Tortorella isn't wasting any time in the press room.

For the second straight game day, the Rangers head coach kept it short and sweet before sprinting away from the microphone. One reporter was trying to squeeze in another question when Tortorella snapped: "You missed, man."

Tortorella refused to discuss whether he'd feel jobbed by the league if Alfredsson does play.

"I'm not going to answer questions about the other team," Tortorella said.

Tortorella refused to say who would go into the lineup in place of Hagelin, but it will either be John Scott or rookie Chris Kreider making his NHL debut.

NEW YORK RANGERS

Forward Lines

Artem Anisimov - Brad Richards -Marian Gaborik
Brandon Dubinsky - Derek Stepan - Ryan Callahan
Mike Rupp - Brian Boyle - Brandon Prust
John Scott - John Mitchell - Ruslan Fedotenko

Defence Pairings

Ryan McDonagh - Dan Girardi
Marc Staal - Michael Del Zotto
Stu Bickel - Anton Stralman

Goaltenders

Henrik Lundqvist
Martin Biron

OTTAWA SENATORS

Forward Lines

Milan Michalek - Jason Spezza - Jesse Winchester
Nick Foligno - Kyle Turris - Daniel Alfredsson
Colin Greening - Zack Smith - Chris Neil
Erik Condra - Jim O'Brien - Zenon Konopka

Defence Pairings

Filip Kuba - Erik Karlsson
Jared Cowen - Sergei Gonchar
Chris Phillips - Matt Gilroy

Goaltenders

Craig Anderson
Ben Bishop

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