Derick Brassard celebrates a goal with teammates Benoit Pouliot and Ryan McDonagh. His overtime winner allowed the Rangers to prevail over the Penguins in Game 1 3-2.
AP Photos/Gene J. Puskar

For a second straight game, the Rangers will have to do it without Derick Brassard. The key center between Benoit Pouliot and Mats Zuccarello left Game 1 after taking a hit by Canadiens’ defenseman Mike Weaver in the first period. He’ll again sit out for Game 3.

Perhaps with his team up two games, coach Alain Vigneault doesn’t want to take any chances. There’s no point in rushing Brassard back. A year removed from being acquired along with Derek Dorsett and John Moore from Columbus for Marian Gaborik, Brassard has been a key contributor. After leading the Rangers in scoring last postseason with 11 points (5-6-11), he has four goals and three assists so far.

Without him, Vigneault has used versatile center Dominic Moore to center Pouliot and Zuccarello. Moore was instrumental in Game 1 setting up the first two goals in a 7-2 rout. He also made a smart play getting the puck deep following Max Pacioretty’s goal in Game 2. It helped lead to Ryan McDonagh’s tying goal 17 seconds later which was a huge turning point. He’ll again play with Pouliot and Zuccarello.

Vigneault will also keep Daniel Carcillo in the lineup working on the fourth line with Brian Boyle and Derek Dorsett. There are no changes from last game. The lines remain intact.

Kreider-Stepan-Nash

Hagelin-Richards-St. Louis

Pouliot-D. Moore-Zuccarello

Carcillo-Boyle-Dorsett

McDonagh-Girardi

Staal-Stralman

J. Moore-Klein

Lundqvist