Mistake Sitting Avery

George Bretherton at Slap Shots says John Tortorella miscalculated the impact Sean Avery has on the Rangers by sitting him last night...

"The idea that the Rangers could play with more edge, passion and intensity without Avery was put to rest by their abysmal performance in Game 5. If the Blueshirts are going to have any chance at finishing off the Capitals in this series, they need every ounce of what Avery brings to the ice. The only thing Avery’s benching proved is that it isn’t a good idea to give away even one game as the underdog in a best-of-seven series."

Bretherton then reminds us that including the playoffs, the Rangers are 69-30-19 with Avery in the lineup since he was acquired in 2007.

...listen, I respect Tortorella for trying to send a message to Avery and the team last night. But I feel he took it a little too far. He could have easily sat Avery down and spoken to him about the negative impact his actions were having on the team and that if he does it again, then, he'd be benched. Similar to Avery's suspension earlier in the year the punishment did not fit the crime.

...not sure Avery would have made a difference on the score board last night, but I can assure you the Rangers would have played with a higher battle level.