Tag: Jacob Trouba

Rangers’ Jacob Trouba revealed the gnarly injury he played through during New York’s playoff run

Hockey players’ pain thresholds are insane.

NHL players are well-known for their extraordinary pain thresholds, especially in the playoffs. Every year, we hear about someone playing through an absolutely bonkers injury with the aim of hopefully hoisting the Stanley Cup.

But what Jacob Trouba willingly endured this spring is still unfathomable.

On Tuesday, the New York Rangers defenseman revealed that he played through a broken ankle injury suffered earlier in the regular season. Remember, the Rangers played all the way to Game 6 of the Eastern Conference Finals. So, he played with a broken ankle for roughly two months, if not a little more. That’s amazing and horrifying at the same time.

What’s more, Trouba clarified that a “big chunk of his ankle came off.”

WHAT? What does that even mean?

OK, that’s just absurd.

Look, I have mad respect for NHL players who sacrifice everything for their team. But I gotta be honest: If I had a broken ankle, I’m not gonna keep playing just so I could maybe have the chance of touching a big silver cup with a lot of names on it.

Guys like Trouba really might be built differently.

The Rangers’ Jacob Trouba scarily diving headfirst into the boards became an instant meme

This could have gone so badly, but instead, it became meme.

Jacob Trouba has been known to throw a big hit or two … and sometimes one that isn’t legal.

The New York Rangers captain tried to get Marty Necas in Tuesday night’s double-overtime thriller in Game 2 of their playoff series, but Necas somehow ducked down and hit the ice before Trouba could nail him … and Trouba tripped over his body and went full horizontal into the boards.

Trouba was OK and played the rest of the game, but the move caught everyone’s eye on X (formerly Twitter) and became an instant meme.

Here’s a sampling from that dangerous play that could have been worse:

Jacob Trouba blasted Timo Meier with a high hit and NHL fans couldn’t believe it wasn’t a penalty

Jacob Trouba’s hard hit was legal by NHL standards, but fans weren’t happy.

Jacob Trouba is no stranger to borderline hits in big-time playoff games.

On Monday’s Game 7 between the New York Rangers and New Jersey Devils, Trouba rocked Timo Meier with a hit up high in the opening minutes of the third period. With the Rangers down 2-0 in the opening round of the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs with their season on the line, Trouba looked to light a spark in New York with the heavy hit.

Unfortunately, Trouba’s hit was quite the violent one, as Meier was down on the ice in pain after taking a shoulder to the face. Meier did end up returning to the Devils’ bench later in the third, but Trouba absolutely lit him up with a brutal hit.

Yeah, that’s as hard of a hit as you’ll see in the NHL. Trouba wasn’t penalized for the play, as that kind of hit is technically legal according to the NHL rule book. Because Meier was leaning over in a vulnerable position on the play, Trouba’s hit was deemed legal by the referees on the ice.

NHL fans, however, were stunned that that type of hit still remains a legal one given how violent and devastating it is. While Trouba may not have been penalized for the hit due to its legality, hockey fans were quite upset all the same.

Jacob Trouba’s dangerous hit up high on Sidney Crosby that took him out of Game 5 angered NHL fans

What an unnecessary, scary hit on Crosby.

During their first-round series, the Penguins have mostly had their way with the young Rangers.

After the two squads left New York, the Penguins molly whopped their Metro rivals 14-6 in Games 3 and 4, en route to a three games to one series lead. Pittsburgh did it largely thanks to the power of the one and only Sidney Crosby (nine points). What else is new?

With the Rangers (-135 favorites coming in) fighting for their season in Game 5 on Wednesday night, Crosby and the Pens were looking to put a bow on this series. Alas, they didn’t get their wish, as the Rangers ended up winning 5-3 to keep their season alive.

But it’s not the Rangers’ win everyone’s talking about. It’s New York d-man Jacob Trouba knocking out Sidney Crosby with an elbow while the two fought for the puck with about seven minutes left in the second period.

Whoa. Come on, man. I know hockey’s a physical game, but that doesn’t mean it calls for chicken wings to the head out of the blue. Use your stick, your feet, literally anything else!

Crosby, of course, would not return. And the Penguins themselves have not yet offered a concrete update on his status. All we have are observant anecdotes:

Considering Crosby’s extended history with head injuries, NHL fans did not take kindly to Trouba’s hit.

New York Rangers at Winnipeg Jets odds, picks and best bets

Previewing Tuesday’s New York Rangers at Winnipeg Jets sports betting odds and lines, with NHL betting picks, tips and best bets.

The New York Rangers (27-23-4) and Winnipeg Jets (29-23-5) will mix it up at Bell MTS Place in Winnipeg at 8 p.m. ET Tuesday. We analyze the Rangers-Jets sports betting odds and lines, while providing NHL betting tips and picks around this matchup.

Rangers at Jets: Projected starting goalies

Igor Shesterkin vs. Connor Hellebuyck

The rookie Shesterkin is confirmed to make his first NHL road start after going 5-1-0 with a 2.34 goals against average and .933 save percentage in his first six outings at home. This will be his biggest test yet against a red-hot offense and an All-Star goaltender at the other end.

Hellebuyck has posted a 24-16-5 record with a 2.67 GAA and .920 SV% with four shutouts to date. He’ll be tasked with ruining the return to Winnipeg of Rangers defenseman Jacob Trouba, who was traded to New York in the offseason. Hellebuyck didn’t have much success in the first head-to-head meeting at Madison Square Garden in the Oct. 3 season opener, as Trouba had a season-high three points in the 6-4 win by the Rangers.

Place a sports bet on this hockey action or other games at BetMGM.

Rangers at Jets: Odds, picks and betting tips

Odds courtesy of BetMGM; access them at USA TODAY Sports for a full list. Odds last updated at 10:15 a.m. ET.

Prediction

Jets 5, Rangers 3

Moneyline (ML)

The JETS (-134) are favorites at home against the Rangers (+110), as they look for revenge after their loss in the first meeting at MSG. Winnipeg’s offense has been on fire lately, averaging 4.0 goals per game across the past five outings while going 4-1 straight up.

New to sports betting? A $10 bet on the Jets to grab the road win returns a profit of $7.50, while a $10 wager on the Rangers results in a profit of $11.

Puck Line/Against the Spread (ATS)

The JETS (-1.5, +190) are worth a look at almost double money, as they’re rolling right along. The Rangers (+1.5, -239) are too risky and not worth a play if you’re looking for a little insurance on the road. While the road team is 9-4 in the past 13 meetings, the favorite has connected in each of the past four outings.

Over/Under (O/U)

OVER 6.5 (+125) is a value play at this price level, especially since the Jets have been lighting up the scoreboard. The first battle in this series easily went Over, and this one will, too.

Want some action in this one? Place a bet at BetMGM now. For more sports betting tips, visit SportsbookWire.com.

Follow @JoeWilliamsVI and @SportsbookWire on Twitter.

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