The Rangers host the Avalanche tonight, still looking for their first win under John Tortorella. Of course, if they beat Colorado tonight, that would make their two wins in their last nine against the worst team in the East (Islanders) and West ('Lanche). And they face the Islanders next on Thursday.
The plan is for the Rangers to have Sunday off and then what I would expect to be three days of a mini-training camp under Tortorella and Jim Schoenfeld Monday-Wednesday. Sean Avery's target return date is Tuesday.
Based on morning skate, looks like Aaron Voros and Mark Bell are the healthy scratches with Fredrik Sjostrom back on the fourth line with center Blair Betts and Colton Orr. D Erik Reitz did not skate and is also out tonight as Paul Mara plays his second game since returning from a dislocated right shoulder.
Also, Nikolai Zherdev and Ryan Callahan flip-flop again, with Zherdev going to the top line with center Scott Gomez and Markus Naslund and Callahan playing on Chris Drury's line with Brandon Dubinsky.
Heading off to the city but first a stop to pick up a birthday present for my wife (tomorrow) and her twin sister (also, surprisingly, tomorrow). And while we're on the subject of birthdays, a happy and healthy one to my dad (he's actually a Feb. 29 guy), a longtime reporter/editor himself.
Vinny Lecavalier won't be traded this year by Tampa and if he was to be traded the NYR would have to work a miracle to clear enough cap space.
I've got my fingers crossed that the Rangers can dump as many as possible out of Drury, Naslund & Redden. Redden has had a few good games in a row now under Torts hopefully that's enough to convince someone that he has something left in him. I'm not convinced, so I doubt anyone in the hockey world other than Sather is!
Time will tell - just watch, Sather will make a minor irrelevant move
Posted by: Puck Central.net | February 28, 2009 at 01:32 PM
Torts rearranging deck chairs on the titanic like Renney did. Btw Parise just scored his 38th goal of the year. How's Hugh Jessiman doing?
Posted by: graves9 | February 28, 2009 at 01:45 PM
14 G 3 A in 45 Games with the Milwaukee Admirals this year.
Posted by: TK | February 28, 2009 at 01:57 PM
tk I was being sarcastic slamming Sather for drafting that stiff.
Posted by: graves9 | February 28, 2009 at 02:32 PM
Graves9: Yeah, I know. I have a pulse. ;)
Posted by: TK | February 28, 2009 at 02:51 PM
forget bettman math.
we have a losing record right now of 31-32.
people say we need 94 to get in. means we need 24 pts in 19 games
and our sch includes 4 with philly, 2 with bost, 2 with montreal, 2 with carolina, and buff, pitt and nj once each
Posted by: LI Joe | February 28, 2009 at 03:21 PM
Well at least they have two guaranteed wins as Brodeur has played like crap against the Rangers the last few years.
Posted by: graves9 | February 28, 2009 at 03:48 PM
Geez LI Joe-now that you break it down like that it seems they have NO chance!
I just think unless they make a major move these guys are not going to start scoring 5 goals a game-it's just not possible. Hank seems to be wearing down too a bit-he's been under too much pressure all year with this team
Posted by: Keith | February 28, 2009 at 04:54 PM
11-7-1 seems about right to get in the playoffs LI JOE. They need to win the games vs teams like Colorado, Nashville, Minnesota, Atlanta, Ottawa, and the Islanders. I would hope for 5-1 or 4-1-1 vs those teams which would leave us with 13 games left, and hopefully have to go only like 6-7.
Posted by: Mark | February 28, 2009 at 04:54 PM