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Rangers’ Moore eager to return with suspension over

2014 NHL Stanley Cup Final - Practice Sessions

LOS ANGELES, CA - JUNE 06: John Moore #17 of the New York Rangers skates during a practice session on an off day during the 2014 NHL Stanley Cup playoffs at Staples Center on June 6, 2014 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)

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John Moore has done his time. He’s now eligible to return to the New York Rangers lineup. Whether that happens Saturday against the L.A. Kings in Game 2 of the Stanley Cup Final remains to be seen at this point.

Moore, New York’s 23-year-old defenseman, was suspended two games for a blindside hit that concussed Montreal Canadiens forward Dale Weise in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference Final.

“I’m more than ready,” said Moore, as per Newsday. “It’s tough to watch, no matter what time of year. But the Stanley Cup Final, it doesn’t get any bigger than that. To not be out there, to be watching in the stands is a tough pill to swallow. But you make your bed, you’ve got to sleep in it.

“It’s unfortunate it happened. I don’t think it’s part of my game to be a reckless player. I’m not going to talk too much about that, but I’m certainly not going to see it affecting my game much.”

Rangers’ head coach Alain Vigneault didn’t tip his hand as to whether Moore would be back in the lineup Saturday.

Said the bench boss to reporters: “Like I’ve told you all along, I mean, I’m not going to discuss lineup. You watched practice today, so...”

Maybe he did tip his hand ever so slightly after all? Maybe not? We’ll see tomorrow.

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