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Carcillo happy not being a ‘dead man walking’

2014 NHL Stanley Cup Final - Practice

LOS ANGELES, CA - JUNE 03: Daniel Carcillo #13 of the New York Rangers looks on during a practice session ahead of the 2014 NHL Stanley Cup Final at Staples Center on June 3, 2014 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)

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New York Rangers forward Daniel Carcillo got a reprieve on Tuesday when the NHL announced they reduced his suspension for striking an official from 10 games to six.

Carcillo’s successful appeal means he’ll potentially get to play in at least one game of the Stanley Cup Final against the Los Angeles Kings as he’ll be eligible to return in Game 4. As you might expect, he feels relieved to have a chance to suit up as Katie Strang of ESPN.com shared.

“It’s awesome. It puts a little jump in your step. I’ve been a bit of a dead man walking the last two weeks. Or the last week and a half. It was tough,” Carcillo said during media availability Tuesday. “To hear that this morning as soon as you wake up, it just gives a little boost, a little energy. Just to be able to be around the guys in three games will be great. I’m just really encouraged. Like I said, hopefully they don’t need me, but it is nice to be able to be around the guys again.”

With Carcillo eligible to play in the Final, that means he’ll get a chance to face off against one of his former teams in the Kings. The Rangers were able to soldier on well without him in the lineup going 2-1 against Montreal following his incident in Game 3.

It may be tricky for Carcillo to get back in the lineup after how well the team played without him and after getting Derick Brassard back, but things could change quickly in the next three games.

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