Rangers forward Derick Brassard ready to play in Game 4 vs. Canadiens

Derick Brassard scored a career-high 18 goals in 81 regular-season games this year. (Derek Leung/Getty Images)

Rangers forward Derick Brassard declared himself ready to play in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference final on Sunday, according to ESPNNewYork.com's Katie Strang.

Writes Strang: "Brassard told reporters after Saturday morning's practice at Madison Square Garden that he would be in the lineup on Sunday against the Habs, though coach Alain Vigneault seemed amused by the declaration."

Said Vigneault, smiling: "I was told he cleared himself to play. He didn't tell me. That's good news."

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The 26-year-old left Game 1 of the series after taking an open-ice hit, and he hasn't played since. Vigneault said he will check back in with Brassard on Sunday before he puts him in the lineup, Strang reports.

Brassard, who has four goals and three assists in 15 games this postseason, is in his first full season with the Rangers after coming to New York in a midseason deal that sent Marian Gaborik to Columbus last year.

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