Ranger Rants

Betts won't rip Brashear

The swelling has gone down on the right side of Blair Betts' face and he rode the stationary bicycle for 20 minutes today, his first physical activity since suffering a concussion from a Donald Brashear hit in Game 6. Betts, who will be an unrestricted free agent, said he will not need facial surgery because of a broken orbital bone.

Brashear was suspended for six games but Betts said he would have preferred if Brashear had been given a two- or five-minute penalty for what Betts described as a "late hit," something that would have helped the Rangers at the immediate time. Brashear did not play in Game 7 but wasn't likely to anyway.

Still, given every opportunity to take offense at Brashear's actions, Betts did not express any anger.

Drury won't need surgery

Chris Drury shook hands with reporters using his left hand because he didn't want to use his right. Plus, he could be seen looking at X-rays of his broken right hand with doctors on break-up day.

"The good news today is I don't need surgery," said Drury, who will wear a brace for a couple of weeks.

John Tortorella took his captain aside twice during the series, before Game 4 and Game 6, looked him in the eye and asked if he could continue playing, essentially, one handed.

"I wasn't going to say I can't play," Drury said.

Avery has found his coach

In December, when John Tortorella told his television audience that Sean Avery didn't belong in the NHL, it would have been unthinkable that a little more than four months later, the two would have such mutual admiration.

Yet as Avery spoke to a select handful of reports on the Rangers' break-up day, he said there's no other coach he'd want to play for because of what he believes Tortorella can get out of him.

And Avery believes he benefited from Tortorella benching him in Game 5.

"We had a talk before Game 7, he needs to stay on me," Avery said. "Really, it's the first time in my career there's a guy that's going to make me a better player. There's not going to be things I agree with all the time."

In many respects, Avery said he and Tortorella are very similar people except that, "I'm a better dresser."

"There's no other coach I'd rather play for," Avery said.

Tortorella: 'I made a huge mistake'

Now that the Rangers' season is over, John Tortorella is ready to acknowledge his ugly confrontation with a Capitals' fan in Game 5 in Washington and his subsequent throwing of a water bottle into the stands and suspension for Game 6 was an embarrassment.

An open Tortorella, who spent 36 minutes meeting with the print and radio media to discuss the just-completed season and his expectations for next season, said he let the organization down.

"It's a bad mistake by me, I regret it," Tortorella said. "I think I put the organization in an embarrassing situation."

Tortorella, who does believe he was spit upon early in the game, said instead of trying to get the Verizon Center's security guards to quell the situation, he should have gone to the on-ice referees and complained and have them handle it, possibly by ejecting the fan or fans.

Today's menu

John Tortorella speaks at 9:30 a.m. We'll have player access afterwards on break-up day. Check back for updates on what the Rangers are saying as they head into their offseason. No doubt, today's the last day we'll have to speak to several players, at least as Rangers.

From today's Record/Herald News, analysis of what went wrong against the Capitals and five questions for the offseason.

Chat later...

Afterthoughts

Late-night drives give one plenty of time to think and there were several thoughts on the trip back from Washington after the Rangers' season ended with a 2-1 loss to the Capitals in Game 7 of their Eastern Conference quarterfinal at the Verizon Center.

No doubt, some were shared by the players/coaches/management after the seventh-seeded Rangers blew a 3-1 series lead to the second-seeded Capitals.

So, to steal from SI's Peter King, the following are some things I think I know.

Live Blog: Game 7, Rangers at Capitals

Talking time is done, time to play some hockey.

Rangers' lines for tonight's Game 7 (to start, at least):
Markus Naslund-Scott Gomez-Ryan Callahan
Lauri Korpikoski-Chris Drury-Nikolai Zherdev
Sean Avery-Brandon Dubinsky-Nik Antropov
Fredrik Sjostrom-Artem Anisimov-Aaron Voros

Loud cheers in the building right now as a fan holds up a sign that says, "Shhhhhh, Rangers R Sensitive."

Not surprised Callahan is playing with Gomez, I figured Tortorella would lean heavily on one of his favorite players tonight. Korpikoski with Drury is logical, especially if Drury struggles on faceoffs, they can switch. If Anisimov is playing well, expect him to get moved up.

Like Callahan, Marc Staal is a oplayer I'm not worried about in terms of folding under the weight of Game 7 pressure. Love this quote from the young defenseman on tonight's game.

"Everybody expects us to fall apart," Staal said. "It's exciting to rise to the challenge."

Also, advance notice/warning, I'll be the second intermission guest on ESPN 1050. Hopefully, we'll still be talking hockey at that point and not some more, unforeseen nuttiness.

Live updates below, enjoy the game.

Game 7 stats

Turns out, there are six Rangers who have played in Game 7s. So, courtesy of the NHL, here are the statistics:

Player                GP     W-L    G     A     Pts
Nik Antropov        3       1-2      0      1        1
Chris Drury          8       4-4      2      3        5
Scott Gomez       5       4-1      0      1        1
Derek Morris        1       0-1      0      1        1
Markus Naslund   4       2-2      1      2        3
Wade Redden      4       0-4      1      0        1

In comparison, the Capitals have 20 who have participated in a Game 7, though Donald Brashear (three), Michael Nylander (two) and Jose Theodore (one) won't be in the lineup.

Also, John Tortorella is 2-0 in Game 7s, both in the 2004 playoffs, including a 2-1 Cup final win over Calgary, and Bruce Boudreau is 0-1, losing last year to Philadelphia, 3-2 in overtime in the first round.

A relaxed Tortorella

John Tortorella presented a much more laid-back, non-confrontational persona during this morning's presser, no doubt because that's the sense he wants to pass along to his players. They can't be tight in this spot, they need to be loose and just play hockey.

There are few guys on this roster who have played in a Game 7 at the NHL level - Aaron Voros recalled playing in one in juniors. Scott Gomez has. Chris Drury has. Wade Redden has. That's what I've got so far but if I've missed anybody else, it's not an extensive list, maybe Markus Naslund and Michal Rozsival. I'll try to do some research.

"Game 7s you can get yourself so wrapped up and say, 'Oh, crap, this is Game 7!" Tortorella said. "And you go out and get paralyzed. Where it is a game of mistakes and both teams are going to make them. You need to allow yourself to play in this situation and not paralyze yourself. Some guys can do it and some guys can't. Some guys get so uptight they do paralyze themselves and they're not going to be a factor in the game. Other guys look at this as an opportunity and allow themselves to play and just free themselves."

Capitals' point of view

Capitals coach Bruce Boudreau is still upset with the length of Donald Brashear's six-game suspension for his high hit that knocked Rangers center Blair Betts from the series with a broken orbital bone and a concussion.

"I'm upset - disappointed is a better word," Boudreau said. "I can't figure it out and I don't think it's best for me to comment on that. It is what it is. We didn't think it would go that high and we're disappointed in it. But what are you going to do?"

This comes after Brashear told the Washington Post that "Anybody who knows hockey knows that was a great hit."

Also for the Capitals, it appears captain Chris Clark, who has not played since Jan. 27 because of a wrist injury, will rejoin the lineup tonight.

"I was told to be ready - same as yesterday," Clark said.