Tuesday Headlines

The Bergen Record - Vinny Prospal is out after knee surgery

New York Post - Rangers' Prospal out up to three weeks

Daily News - Prospal out up to 3 weeks after surgery

Newsday - Prospal out at least 10 days after surgery

Blogs: Team USA, Prospal, Higgins, Trade & Avery Girlfriend

Jess Rubenstein at The Prospect Park takes a closer look at the Rangers prospects playing in the World Junior Championships.

Scotty Hockey has possible replacement options for Vinny Prospal.

Over at the Rangers Tribune, NYR Blogger wonders what to do with Chris Higgins.

Greg Caggiano at Metro Hockey says the Rangers must improve themselves through a trade.

Finally, the Mouth at Rangers Crisis reports on Sean Avery's new girlfriend.

What Ifs

Rick Carpiniello at the Rangers Report wonders if the Rangers would be better off not making many of the moves from this summer...

"If you could go back and do the Gomez deal and the Gaborik signing all over again, then undo the other stuff … would you rather, right now, have Zherdev and Antropov and Orr and Sjostrom and Korpikoski on your forward lines than, say, Higgins and Boyle and Lisin and Kotalik and Brashear?"

...it's obviously easy to say yes to that right now. But remember last year's team didn't exactly light it up offensively either.

...the only decision I would like to see undone was signing Brashear over Orr. That was a colossal mistake.

Prospal to Have Knee Scoped

Update, 4:00 p.m.:

The Rangers have released the latest on the surgery here.

Original Post:

Larry Brooks, via Twitter, reports that Vinny Prospal's knee is going to be 'scoped and will miss anywhere from 10 days to 3 weeks.

...injuries have been really hampering the Rangers of late and this latest is the last thing this team needed.

...not sure where the Rangers go to replace Prospal. Christensen? Voros? Grachev? I'd like to see Grachev, but from all the reports I've seen he's not NHL ready.

Steve Zipay at Blue Notes has more.

Monday Headlines

Daily News - Avery hurting as much as he helps

New York Post - Sather needs to acquire big bodies for Rangers

New York Post - Nemesis ref 'boxes' in Avery

Ranger Prospects Lead Team USA to 2-0 Start at World Jrs.

Newyorkrangers.com reports that Rangers 2009 #1 pick Chris Kreider scored the game winner in Team USA's 3-0 victory over Switzerland today helping improve the team's record to 2-0 at the World Junior Championships.

Kreider now has a goal and an assists in the first two games of the tournament.

Other Ranger draftees Derek Stepan (1g, 3a) and Ryan Bourque (1a) chipped in with assists.

Team USA's next game is Tuesday vs. Latvia.

Rangers Looking at Line-up Options for Second Half

Andrew Gross at Ranger Rants has this quote from John Tortorella on possible roster moves...

“We’re discussing a lot of different things with our lineup as far as the second half (of the season),” Tortorella said. “I don’t have a whole bunch to report. Myself, Glen (Sather) and Schoney (assistant GM Jim Schoenfeld) have talked and we’re going to continue talking. A lot of things come into play with this type of decision. It’s discussed among the organization. I don’t foresee anything happening before the next game. I don’t know, I can’t guarantee it. We discussed it this morning.”

...i hope one of the options they are discussing is cutting Redden.

Tortorella also discussed Sean Avery's penalties last night...

“I still want Sean to play with more personality and be consistent where he’s effective,” Tortorella said. “He can’t be yapping at the refs. We killed it off for him. I haven’t talked to him about that. We talked about a couple of other things today. But he can’t put himself in that spot.”

Torts did, however, disagree with the goalie interference call on Avery.

Gross also reports that Marian Gaborik, Vinny Prospal, Chris Drury and Ryan Callahan all did not skate at this morning's non-optional practice due to them being a little banged up.

Sunday Headlines

The Bergen Record - Islanders top Rangers in OT, 3-2

The Bergen Record - Sean Avery frustrated

New York Post - Isles thwart Rangers' comeback in OT

Daily News - Islanders hang tough to beat Rangers

New York Times - Islanders Win Despite Rally by Rangers

Newsday - Rangers rally but lose in overtime to Isles, 3-2

Newsday - Staple: Suggestions for Isles, Rangers

Ranger Prospects Lead Team USA to Win

Newyorkrangers.com reports that Rangers prospect and Team USA Captain Derek Stepan had a goal and two assists in USA's 7-3 win over Team Slovakia in the opener of the World Junior Championships.

2009 #1 pick Chris Kreider also hit the scoresheet with an assist in the game, while Ryan Bourque was held scoreless.

Team USA will face Switzerland on Sunday.

Rangers Talk Loss to Islanders

Below are quotes released by the Rangers after the game...

John Tortorella on tonight’s game…
“I thought we played hard. I thought we developed a lot of scoring chances, we couldn’t score but we stayed with it. We will take the point and try to find some good stuff out of it. I thought we played really hard to get back into it in the third period.”

Brandon Dubinsky on the tying goal…
“I was just trying to be there, ready. Time is winding down there, we know things are going to go to the net to try and get some traffic and some sticks there and I think Cally (Ryan Callahan) made a great play. I feel like he shot for my stick and I was standing there ready for it and I made the play.”

Henrik Lundqvist on tonight’s game…
“They got a goal on our power play – that is always tough. The PK (penalty kill) was really good. I think if we tied the game a little earlier, I think we would have had them. They played pretty solid in their own end, kept us on the outside. We at least tied the game and got a point out of it.”

Andrew Gross at Ranger Rants and Steve Zipay at Blue Notes have more quotes.

Video: Highlights, Torts & Analysis of Loss vs. Islanders

John Tortorella speaks to reporters after the Blueshirts rallied to force overtime in a 3-2 loss to the Islanders here.

MSG's "Hockey Night Live" team takes a look back at the Rangers' 3-2 OT loss to the Islanders here.

Rangers vs. Islanders here.

Islanders 3, Rangers 2, OT

The New York Rangers (18-16-4) lost to the New York Islanders (15-17-7) by the score of 3-2 in overtime. For a recap and box score go to Yahoo! Sports and newyorkrangers.com.

...i loved the fight to comeback and get a point, but if they're going to wait until the third period to start playing they're not going to win.

...not sure why it took so long for Rangers to get traffic in front of Roloson. Made life too easy for him.

...so much for my Lundqvist getting back in the Vezina race. Got to make that save. (Edit, 12:20 a.m.: Apparently game winner deflected off Staal. Still should have made the save.)

...i hate to rip on Higgins because the guy gives a good effort, but if his scoring woes have gotten so bad he can't bang home a rebound on an empty net he can't be in there anymore.

...and the NHL's anti-Avery bias strikes again.

...nice to see someone other than Gaborik carry the Rangers offensively for a change. Dubinsky has looked like a legitimate #1 NHL center these last few games.

...man i hate when an opposing player I spotlight in my pre-game "Opponent Notes" for being in a scoring drought scores the game winner.

...great Saturday night crowd tonight. Fans were really fired up.

...three days off then Flyers in town on Wednesday.

Rangers vs. Islanders (Game 38)

The New York Rangers (18-16-3) host the New York Islanders (14-17-7) tonight at MSG starting at 7:00 p.m. For a preview go to Yahoo! Sports.

TV: MSG; Radio: ESPNRadio (1050AM)

Probable Lines:
Prospal-Dubinsky-Gaborik
Higgins-Anisimov-Callahan
Avery-Drury-Lisin
Brashear-Boyle-Kotalik

Staal-Rozsival
Del Zotto-Girardi
Redden-Gilroy

Goaltenders:
Henrik Lundqvist - 16-13-3, 2.41 gaa, .920 sv%, 1 so.

Dwayne Roloson - 12-7-5, 2.87 gaa, .910 sv%, 0 so.

Opponent Notes:
- The Islanders lead the season series 2-1.

- The Islanders snapped a three-game losing streak with a 3-1 win over Toronto on Wednesday.

- #1 Pick John Tavares leads the team with 16 goals.

- The Islanders power play is 1 for 27 (3.7 percent) in the last six games.

- Matt Moulson has one goal in 10 games while Kyle Okposo has gone 18 games without a goal.

- Dwayne Rolosonis 2-1-0 with a 2.33 GAA in three games against the Rangers this season.

- The Islanders are 8-3-1 in their last 12 visits to MSG.

Opponent Blog:

Islanders Point Blank

Remember the Alamo

Andrew Gross at Ranger Rants says the theme for tonight's game is "Remember the last game at the Garden against the Islanders"...

“We should be ready to go,” Vinny Prospal said. “Especially after what they did to us the last time at home.”

“I still think there’s bad memories,” Michal Rozsival said.

“That was brutal,” Henrik Lundqvist added. “It was really tough losing that game. It felt like it could only go one way from there. Winning four in a row feels great but if we’re not really battling we can be back at square one pretty fast.”

Gross adds there will be a tweak to the defensive pairings tonight with Marc Staal being paired with Michal Rozsival and Michael Del Zotto with Dan Girardi.

...i'm going to the game tonight so they better put forth a better effort than last time the Isles invaded the Garden

Gaborik a Big Surprise this Season

Sam McCaig at The Hockey News looks at the biggest surprises so far this season and says Marian Gaborik's success is the biggest...

1. Marian Gaborik: The Rangers sniper is second overall in league scoring (49 points) – and has the most goals in the NHL with 26 in 35 games. Wild, eh?

...it's not so much I'm surprised that he's second overall in scoring, it's the fact that he's been healthy enough to be able to put up those numbers.

Saturday Headlines

Newsday - Rangers on a roll as second half of season looms

Newsday - For Isles, another crucial game against Rangers

New York Times - Gaborik Does His Share and Much More for the Rangers

Daily News - Drury goes fourth and produces

Merry Christmas

From The New York Rangers Blog family to yours have a Merry Christmas.

There won't be any posts until Saturday, so just enjoy the early Christmas gift we Ranger fans received in the form of a four game winning streak.

Rangers Talk Win vs. Panthers

Below are quotes released by the Rangers after last night's win vs. the Panthers...

John Tortorella on tonight’s game…
“We are again trying to find a way to win at home. I thought everybody contributed. Hank (Henrik Lundqvist) contributed when he had to. Our fourth line contributed. These games, before you break, you don’t want them to think it is Christmas too early. I thought we played well and we deserved to win the hockey game.”

Vinny Prospal on tonight’s game…
“Hopefully it is starting to turn around for us. We have been able to put together the second longest winning streak since the beginning of the season. It doesn’t matter that the Christmas break comes now, we want to prolong this thing.”

Ryan Callahan on tonight’s game…
“We are coming into this with confidence obviously with three big wins on the road. We weren’t happy what we showed last time we were here. We came in wanting to prove something and with the confidence from three road wins.”

Andrew Gross at Ranger Rants and Steve Zipay at Blue Notes have more quotes.

Video: Highlights, Torts & Analysis of Win vs. Panthers

John Tortorella speaks to reporters after the Blueshirts beat the Florida Panthers 4-1 here.

Al Trautwig and Dave Maloney take a look back at the Rangers' 4-1 victory over Florida here.

Rangers vs. Panthers highlights here.

Christmas Eve Headlines

The Bergen Record - Rangers run win streak to four games

The Bergen Record - Rangers notes: Girardi OK

New York Post - Blueshirts snag 4th in a row

New York Post - Resurgent Drury scores again

Daily News - Streaking Rangers storm past Panthers

The Journal News - Rangers win fourth straight

New York Times - Prospal Gives the Rangers a Nice Break

Newsday - Prospal scores two; Rangers win 4th straight, 4-1

Newsday - Rangers may bring in another defenseman

Rangers 4, Panthers 1

The New York Rangers (18-16-3) defeated the Florida Panthers (16-16-7) by the score of 4-1, tonight. For a recap and box score go to Yahoo! Sports and newyorkrangers.com.

...Tortorella has taken a lot of heat on this blog (constant line changes, messing with rookies heads, etc.) by I've got to give credit where credit is due. His putting the players on notice after one of the worst post-lockout losses (Islanders last week) has obviously resonated with the team and inspired them to this four game win streak, which was capped off by a complete effort against a tough team tonight.

...and the one player that has really heeded that message is Drury. Three goals and one assist in the four games since being dropped to the fourth line. It's a shame that the Rangers captain needed a demotion to get him going, but as long as its working I don't care.

...welcome back to the season Vinny Prospal.

...136 saves on the last 141 shots against. Lundqvist is starting to put himself in contention for the Vezina.

...didn't notice Redden tonight. Not sure if that's good or bad for him.

...someone I did notice on defense was Rozsival who reverted back to his terrible self and if Torts is serious about putting players on notice should be in the press box when the Rangers play the Islanders on Saturday.

...despite not scoring I thought Lisin played one of his best games of the season.

...just Avery being Avery tonight and I loved every minute of it.

...you have to wonder if Lundqvist's teammates don't like him the way they refuse to stick up for their goaltender when he gets bumped. I know Ballard didn't knee him in the head on purpose, but I don't care. Somebody please send a message that you're going to pay the price if you hit our goalie.

...two days off for Christmas then Islanders in town.

Rangers vs. Panthers (Game 37)

The New York Rangers (17-16-3) host the Florida Panthers (16-15-7) tonight at MSG starting at 7:00 p.m. For a preview go to Yahoo! Sports.

TV: MSG; Radio: ESPNRadio (1050AM)

Probable Lines:
Prospal-Dubinsky-Gaborik
Higgins-Anisimov-Callahan
Avery-Drury-Lisin
Brashear-Boyle-Kotalik

Staal-Rozsival
Del Zotto-Girardi
Redden-Gilroy

Goaltenders:
Henrik Lundqvist - 15-13-3, 2.45 gaa, .920 sv%, 1 so.

Tomas Vokoun - 11-10-7, 2.57 gaa, .924 sv%, 3 so.

Opponent Notes:
- Florida is 5-1-1 in their last seven.

- Stephen Weiss is on a seven-game point streak with five goals and eight assists.

- Nathan Horton has five goals and seven assists while Michael Frolik has recorded four goals and five assists in the last seven games.

- Tomas Vokoun is 3-0-1 with a 1.44 goals-against average in his last four games against the Rangers.

Opponent Blog:
Litter Box Cats

Boyle Returns, Christensen Out; Redden Still On Notice

Andrew Gross at Ranger Rants reports that Brian Boyle (back) will return to the line-up tonight against the Florida Panthers and center the fourth line. Boyle's return means that Erik Christensen will be a healthy scratch.

...if Boyle is 100% Christensen needs to be waived. No need for him on the roster or even in the organization.

Gross also reports that John Tortorella made it very clear that Wade Redden is still on notice.

Steve Zipay at Blue Notes has this quote from Torts backing Gross' report...

"Reds, I thought he had some good shifts, I thought he had some crappy shifts, so it’s still, as we go through here...we’re frozen here at Christmas, we’re not bringing anybody up, but after Christmas, we have some decisions to make along the way."

Torts also said that bringing up a seventh defenseman is not out of the question after the holiday freeze.

...Redden better still be on notice. I'm assuming a decision is going to be made on Redden (AHL?) after the New Year.

Zipay also has quotes from Torts on the Rangers needing to get some wins at home.

Kreider, Bourque Score in Team USA Exhibition Loss (Updated)

Update, 12:07 p.m.:

USA Hockey has anounced the final Team USA roster and as expected Kreider, Bourque and Stepan have made the team.

...congrats guys and good luck.

Original Post:

Newyorkrangers.com reports Rangers 2009 first-round pick Chris Kreider and 2009 third-rounder Ryan Bourque provided the two U.S. goals in Team USA's 3-2 shootout loss to the Czech Republic on Tuesday in the final tune-up before the U.S. World Junior Championship tournament.

U.S. team capatain Derek Stepan, the Rangers' 2008 second-round pick, was chosen to participate in the shootout, but was stopped by the Czech goalie, who denied all three American shooters.

Only two more players must be cut before the team's final tournament roster is named later today. Kreider, Bourque and Stepan are all considered locks to make the final U.S. squad.

The U.S. begins World Junior tournament play on Saturday against Slovakia.

...you have to be excited about the furture of this team with players like this in the system.

Giannone on Rangers Radio

Last week, MSG's John Giannone was a guest on Rangers Radio. Giannone currently serves as host of the New York Rangers telecasts, providing analysis and commentary, along with player interviews during pre and post game shows and intermission reports.

"Rangers Radio" is a web-only radio program, exclusively on NewYorkRangers.com, that provides Rangers fans the opportunity to decide what topics are discussed on your favorite team.

To listen click here.

ESPN Jumps In on the All Decade Action

ESPN.com has their own top 10 all decade lists which seems to be all the rage across the internet.

Lists include players (Jaromir Jagr), #1 picks, late pick gems (Henrik Lundqvist), upsets, playoff series, trades, teams, uniforms, controversies (Sean Avery 'Sloppy Seconds' suspension), and moments.

Wednesday Headlines

The Bergen Record - Rangers hope Dubinsky sticks with top line

New York Post - Torts' Rangers revert to Renney style

Daily News - Scrapping Dubinsky rounds into form

New York Times - Over the Glass and Into Lore

Video: Happy Holidays from the Rangers

Nine members of the Rangers family share thoughts on the holidays. Hear from Redden, Prospal, Gaborik, Gilbert, Schoenfeld, Higgins, Voros, Lundqvist and Boyle here.

Torts: We've Gotten Better Defensively

Andrew Gross at Ranger Rants has this quote from John Tortorella on the adjustments made in the neutral zone...

“I think sometimes it’s a misconception on the team concept,” Tortorella said. “We want to forecheck. But when we talk about it as far as getting up the ice and forechecking and pressuring, people say they just want to go. That certainly hasn’t been our philosophy from Day 1 because you have to play defense in this league. We have changed a little bit in the neutral zone where it’s kind of a hybrid right now. When we have chances to go, we’re going. When we’re not, we’re going to be a little bit smarter as far as filling the middle. That was probably a couple of weeks ago we changed into that. But I think we’ve gotten better defensively, too. When you’re having problems scoring goals, you fall into that trap of just scoring goals and you forget about the details of playing defense. We have always talked about playing defense first and when we say defense first, it doesn’t mean we’re falling back and playing in our end zone. Defense is when you don’t have the puck, just being on the right side of the puck. We’ve gotten better and better on the odd man rushes and that’s just being cognizant of being on the right side of the puck.”

...what would make the defense even better would be Redden in Hartford.

Dubinsky, Boyle Come to Blows

Steve Zipay at Blue Notes reports that Brian Boyle and Brandon Dubinsky took a few swings at one another at today's practice, but both downplayed it afterwards.

...always great to see our number one center who is coming off a broken hand taking swings at a teammate. Real smart.