After this morning's optional practice in which Ryane Clowe (undisclosed) participated, he told Steve Zipay at Newsday that there is a good chance he plays in Game 4 tonight.

There were no spare forwards on the ice, meaning Clowe is all but assured to be back in the line-up.

Zipay adds that Darroll Powe (concussion) did not skate, while Rick Nash, who was given a maintenance day yesterday, skated this morning and said he is fine.

...pretty much a full line-up for the first time in this series has me absolutely fired up for tonight's game. Couldn't be more excited to see Clowe banging bodies, going hard to the net and causing havoc out on the ice.

Also at optional practice was John Moore, who worked on his slap shot (via Rangers Instagram)...

Glen Sather has made a habit out of stealing secondary players in trades (see McDonagh and Prust). And now, with every game that passes it looks like John Moore is going to be added to that list. Here's John Tortorella on the defenseman (via Bergen Record)...

“I think he’s understanding as far as stick on puck, just to use his range to best of his ability because he takes up a lot of space, understanding how hard he has to be in the corners, he still has a lot of improvement there. I think he’s picking those things up, and just positioning period, to pick up quick thoughts, quick reads as far as where he should be on the ice.”

On Moore's offensive prowess from the blueline...

“I think part of our game, not just starting in playoffs, the last 10-15 games, we felt we were coming off the blue line too early and not allowing us to create opportunities. Especially a guy like (Moore) and a guy like (Ryan) McDonagh, if they get caught for some reason, they can recover. For all D, we’ve tried to keep them on the blue line longer so we can create offense longer. We want it more aggressive than just backing off.”

John Moore says his recent strong play is all about confidence gained from having an opportunity. Didn't always have it in Columbus.

— Andrew Gross (@AGrossRecord) May 7, 2013

...Moore has already supplanted Del Zotto on the first power play unit and I tell you what if he keeps this up, it could be the reason Del Zotto is shipped out of town before his contract is over at the end of next season.

...kid is as smooth of a skater as they come and his game has improved significantly as he's gotten more comfortable in the Rangers system. If he can take his offense to the next level we could be looking at the defenseman we always thought and hoped Del Zotto would be. Except Moore, you know, actually plays some defense.

Here's Del Zotto on Moore taking away some of his PT (via Bergen Record)...

The NHL announced today that Henrik Lundqvist along with Sergei Bobrovsky of the Columbus Blue Jacket and Antti Niemi of the San Jose Sharks have been named finalists for the 2013 Vezina Trophy.

Lundqvist, who won the award last season, was tied for the League lead this season with 24 wins, and finished in the top seven in the League with a 2.05 GAA and .926 save percentage.

Bobrovsky went 21-11-6, and was second in the League with a .932 save percentage and fifth with a 2.00 goals-against average.

Niemi, tied Lundqvist for the League lead with 24 wins, was tied for the second-most shutouts in the League with four, was seventh with a .924 save percentage and also had a 2.16 GAA.

...congrats to Lundqvist for this well deserved nomination. After starting the season a little shaky Lundqvist ended the year on an absolute tear as he had a 1.76 gaa and .934 sv% in the month of April. As has been the case every year since debuting with the Blueshirts, the Rangers don't sniff the playoffs without him. Unless you watch this guy on a gamely basis, which we all do, you can't appreciate what an amazing talent and competitor he is.

...as far as handicapping this race, I think it'll come down to Lundqvist and Bobrovsky. "The Bob" had an absolutely amazing season getting the Blue Jackets on the cusp of making the playoffs, but at the end of the day he fell short while Lundqvist's late season heroics propelled the Rangers into the postseason. Got to go with Hank.

Here's video of the announcement...

Yesterday, Derek Stepan was a guest on the Michael Kay Radio Show (ESPN Radio) and discussed his Game 3 winner, Marc Staal's return to the line-up and more...

Upload MP3 and download MP3 using free MP3 hosting from Tindeck.

To listen at ESPN Radio, click here.

...very similar to Chris Drury, Derek Stepan isn't the most skilled player in the NHL but he's a winner who's able to get every ounce out of his ability.

...i'm still amazed with the progression of his game this season. I never expected him to be a player who was going to be relied on for offense. And he's just 22!

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Bergen Record - John Moore earning his keep for Rangers

Bergen Record - Capitals follow Devils' blueprint

Bergen Record - Rangers’ three keys for Game 4

New York Post - Rangers hope to maintain mojo on offense

New York Post - Rangers center Boyle regains magic touch in playoffs

New York Post - Rangers power play gets Moore punch

Daily News - Moore boosts Rangers' power play

Daily News - Ovechkin not 'tired' in loss to Rangers, says Caps coach

New York Times - Rangers Discover Gem Buried on Depth Charts

Newsday - Lundqvist staying on his toes against Capitals

Newsday - Moore making an impact on power play

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Update, 5:12 p.m.:
One interesting angle to keep an eye on is how the NHL/Rangers will react when they find out one of their players is being sponsored by a foreign gambling company. Can't imagine this will go over too well with Bettman or the Dolans.

...Foxwoods is going to be pissed!!!!

H/T to reader sureshore for bringing this up.

Original Post:
According to Norwegian website Nettavisen, Matts Zuccarello is in jeopardy of being kicked off the Norwegian National team due to his newest sponsorship with betting company Unibet.

Apparently, the Norwegian Ice Hockey Federation is financed by the state owned betting company called Norsk Tipping and Zuccarello's new agreement is causing a conflict.

The Federation says they warned Zuccarello of the consequences of signing such a deal with Unibet.

Zuccarello's manager Kevin Skabo disagrees saying dismissal was never brought up when the two sides discussed the possible Zuccarello/Unibet sponsorship earlier this year...

"They also said that they were grateful that we went to them first. We received no specific threats of expulsion, then, it can not remember. But it has always hung in the air over threats athletes in such situations."

Both sides would like to work this out but will wait until Zuccarello's season with the Rangers is over.

If the Rangers would have been swept by the Capitals there could have been a chance he played for the World Cup team if the Federation allowed.

...looks like the Dolans aren't the only greedy ones in the sport of hockey. Disgusting how this can happen with a national team. This is very similar to the 1992 USA Olympic Basketball Dream Team when Team USA was sponsored by Reebok, but players like Michael Jordan had their own sponsorship with Nike. That issue worked itself out and I'm sure this will to.

#NYR on ice at practice. Clowe is skating again. Nash and Powe not on the ice. Maintenance day for Nash.

— New York Rangers (@NYRangers) May 7, 2013

Andrew Gross at the Bergen Record adds that Clowe did some contact drills today.

...i'm still in shock Clowe didn't play last night, but happy to see the Rangers being cautious with him.

...hoping he'll be ready for Game 4 tomorrow and give the Rangers the same kind of lift Staal did last night.

Gross also notes that the Rangers did not provide an update on Darroll Powe, who likely suffered a concussion last night.

Marc Staal's 17:17 of ice time in his return to the Rangers line-up was for the most part uneventful. But the effect on his teammates was more than noticeable.

Here's Derek Stepan on the defensman's impact (via New York Post)...

"It’s huge. He makes the D-core calm,” said Derek Stepan. “He’s got a presence about him that he can just control a game. He did a great job tonight. ... He found a way to get back to himself and I couldn’t be happier for him.

“Everyone really adores Marc. I know it’s a cheesy way to say it but we do.”

John Tortorella added (via Bergen Record)...

"He's so well respected in the room. This is two major injuries he's come back from. So, even before you step on the ice, I think that really helps your room."

Here's Staal on the eye...

As we all know, John Tortorella isn't the biggest fan of the post game press conference. So after being peppered by questions for over seven minutes he decided he needed some help (7:14 mark)...

To watch at Blueshirts United, click here.

...absolutely hysterical. What's ironic is that was the most comfortable and forthcoming I've seen Torts during a post game presser since he's become the head coach of the Rangers.

...and while the reporters found it amusing, you can be assured that Torts was dead serious about wanting the questions to stop.

The only thing better than a Derek Brassard goal is his celebration.

The guy is absolutely taking advantage of his new lease on life in New York and loving every minute of it.

Here's Brassard, who was named the first star of Game 3, after his 1g, 2a night (via Blueshirts United)...

“Tonight was pretty much do or die for us, but the guys really competed hard for 60 minutes; now with a win we are 2-2 in the series. Just the fact we came back in our building helped a lot. we had some fun tonight.”

Here's video of Brassard's first career playoff goal...