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Rangers’ Girardi to wear a visor this season

Washington Capitals v New York Rangers - Game Four

NEW YORK, NY - MAY 08: Dan Girardi #5 of the New York Rangers checks Alex Ovechkin #8 of the Washington Capitals in Game Four of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals during the 2013 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Madison Square Garden on May 8, 2013 in New York City. The Rangers defeated the Capitals 4-3. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)

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Rangers defenseman Dan Girardi is going to look a little different on the ice next season.

According to the Rangers, Girardi took to the ice today in a pre-camp workout and was rocking a brand new visor on his helmet, something he’s never worn in his time as a pro.

The reason for him making the change probably have everything to do with what happened to teammate Marc Staal a year ago.

Staal suffered a serious injury after taking a puck in his eye back on March 5. Staal missed the rest of the regular season and returned to play in one postseason game, Game 3 against Washington in the first round of the Eastern Conference playoffs.

The NHL has made visors mandatory for new players, but that doesn’t apply to Girardi. Seeing him make the switch makes a world of sense not just for logical reasons but also because he’s consistently been a league-leader in blocking shots.

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