Rangers' Brassard to play Saturday after bout with the mumps

New York Rangers forward Derick Brassard will be in the lineup Saturday against the Carolina Hurricanes after missing a pair of games with the mumps virus.

Brassard confirmed his status after taking the morning skate.

"Yeah, I'm playing," Brassard said. "Yesterday I took care of my body after working on conditioning, and this morning I actually skated pretty hard so it was good to get my legs going."

He said his condition has improved in the last 24 hours.

"I feel better than yesterday. Hopefully I can get back to the way I was playing."

Brassard registered 24 points in 27 games before being diagnosed with the virus.