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Rangers' Ryan McDonagh practices, but still doubtful for Game 3

NHL, New York Rangers

GREENBURGH, N.Y. -- New York Rangers captain Ryan McDonagh practiced Monday for the first time since being hurt two weeks ago.

Coach Alain Vigneault said Monday that McDonagh's status for Game 3 of the first-round series against Pittsburgh at Madison Square Garden on Tuesday night is doubtful. He later said that "stranger things have happened."

McDonagh also skated with a small group of teammates Tuesday and will meet with team doctors to determine whether he can play.

Vigneault was again noncommittal regarding the possibility of McDonagh rejoining the team, but coach admitted that McDonagh is closer than Vigneault had anticipated he would be as recently as Monday.

"I said 'doubtful' yesterday, and I'm a little higher than I said yesterday," he said Tuesday of McDonagh's chances of being in the Game 3 lineup. "Depends on the meeting with the docs."

That McDonagh was able to join his teammates for a regular workout on Monday was a bit of a surprise given Vigneault's earlier assessment of where his big defender was in his rehabilitation from an injury sustained when he blocked a shot with his right hand. 

The Rangers split the opening two games of the best-of-7 series in Pittsburgh, playing both games without McDonagh (upper body) and the second without fellow defenseman Dan Girardi, who also was injured.

Brady Skjei replaced McDonagh and fellow rookie Dylan McIlrath filled in for Girardi, who is day-to-day.

The Rangers also recalled defenseman Raphael Diaz from Hartford (AHL), giving them an experienced player who can help on the power play.

Information from ESPN's Scott Burnside and The Associated Press was used in this report.

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