Rangers' Derek Stepan breaks jaw on hit by Prust, undergoes surgery; playing status in doubt

Published September 13, 2015

Montreal Canadiens' Brandon Prust yells after fighting during the first period of Game 3 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup playoffs Eastern Conference finals against the New York Rangers, Thursday, May 22, 2014, in New York. The Canadiens defeated the Rangers in overtime, 3-2. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig) (The Associated Press)

Rangers forward Derek Stepan has a broken jaw and is undergoing surgery following a hit by Montreal's Brandon Prust during Game 3 of the Eastern Conference finals.

Rangers coach Alain Vigneault made the surprising announcement Friday on the first of two off days in the series New York leads 2-1. Prust wasn't penalized in the first period of Montreal's 3-2 overtime win Thursday night, but he faces an NHL hearing Friday and a possible suspension.

Stepan had X-rays Thursday night that were negative, and he returned to the game. He was in pain after the game and on Friday morning.

Further tests after a visit to a specialist revealed the fracture. Vigneault says his playing status for the rest of the series will be determined after surgery.

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