TARRYTOWN, N.Y. — New York Rangers coach Alain Vigneault has been around the NHL a long time, long enough to have seen designated heavyweights come and go from the game completely.
Well, almost.
Vigneault has also been around long enough to know when a question is coming.
When yours truly asked him Monday whether the presence of Ottawa Senators winger Chris Neil had any impact on the Senators 5-4 overtime win in Game 5, he paused for several seconds before answering.
“I can’t believe a player playing two minutes and 26 seconds would have, at all, a factor on our group,” said Vigneault, speaking following the Rangers spirited noon-hour practice.