Rangers backup goaltender Chad Johnson talks to reporter Jim Cerny about his role with the Blueshirts as he steps in to replace the injured Martin Biron.

...hope he enjoys sitting on the bench because that's where he's going to be for the rest of the season.

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Scott Burnside and Pierre LeBrun at ESPN.com wonder if the Rangers can hold on to their current spot in the playoffs...

Burnside...
But the Rangers have to be concerned that their up and down play is going to open the door for one of those on the bubble teams to make a late push and snatch up that final playoff berth. Do you think the Rangers can hang on my friend?

LeBrun...
The Rangers concern me greatly. They've lost some confidence. Only three wins in their last 10, that's not going to cut it. I feel like they overachieved in the first half and now reality is settling in. But they're a better team than what they showed last night in Anaheim.

...i thought after the two great wins against the Sens and Flyers the Rangers were on their way to locking up a playoff spot, but last night's game really has me bummed out this morning. The thing that really concerns me are the games in hand every team has on the Rangers, eventually that is going to bite them.

...what are your thoughts? Will the Rangers hold on or are we looking at deja vu?

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Rangers head coach John Tortorella speaks with reporters following the Blueshirts' 5-2 road loss to the Ducks on March 9 at Anaheim's Honda Center.


Rangers @ Ducks lowlights

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The New York Rangers (35-30-4) lost to the Anaheim Ducks (36-26-5) by the score of 5-2, last night. For a recap and box score go to Yahoo! Sports and newyorkrangers.com.

...if Sunday was the most enjoyable game of the season, last night was the least enjoyable. Not sure what happened, they dominated the first five minutes, then a puck gets deflected in and their entire game got derailed.

...despite scoring, Gaborik was basically invisible the entire game. The Rangers need their top player to step up.

...i know Torts wants these guys to block shots, but get out of the way so Hank can save the puck.

...combined +9 for Dubi-AA-Cally on Sunday, -10 last night.

...obviously biggest play of the game was missed opportunity by Dubi in the third that Ryan was able to turn into a goal at the other end. Must be nice to have a legit first line instead of a third line trying to impersonate one.

...guess faceoffs aren't that big of a deal as the Rangers actually won that battle tonight.

...don't be surprised to see Avery in the press box on Saturday in San Jose.

...Rangers try to bounce back on Saturday against the Sharks.

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New York Post - Rangers duck for cover

Daily News - Mistakes cost Rangers in loss to Ducks

Newsday - Rangers fall to Ducks, 5-2

Newsday - Anisimov rising to the occasion

Newsday - Staal toughing it out for Rangers

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The New York Rangers (35-29-4, 74 pts., 7th in East) visit the Anaheim Ducks (35-26-5, 75 pts., 11th in West) at the Honda Center tonight starting at 10:30 p.m. For a preview go to Yahoo! Sports.

Rangers Game Notes

TV: MSG+; Radio: 970AM The Apple

Probable Lines:
Gaborik-Prospal-Avery
Dubinsky-Anisimov-Callahan
Wolski-Stepan-Zuccarello
Fedotenko-Boyle-Prust

Staal-Girardi
McDonagh-Sauer
McCabe-Gilroy

Goaltenders:
Henrik Lundqvist - 27-23-4, 2.29 gaa, .922 sv%, 9 so.

Dan Ellis - 3-1-1, 2.31 gaa, .905 sv%, 0 so. (#s with Ducks only)

Opponent Notes:
- The Ducks have lost three straight at home to the Rangers.

- Ryan Getzlef has 15 points in the last 11 games.

- Dan Ellis is 1-1-1 with a 3.58 GAA against the Rangers in his career.

- Saku Koivu (strained groin), who has missed six straight games, is a game time decision.

- The Ducks are 3-2-1 on their current seven game home stand.

- LW Brad Winchester has registered 16 hits in the three games since coming to the Ducks from St. Louis.

- G Jonas Hiller (dizziness, lightheadedness) is out indefinitely.

2010-11 Season Series:
March 9 Rangers vs. Ducks at Anaheim

Opponent Blog:
On the Duck Pond

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Update, 4:18 p.m.:
Henrik Lundqvist on the final 14 games of the season...

"we have to take every game now and maximize our focus...don't look too far ahead going down the stretch...it's exciting"

Mats Zuccarello on his linemates...

"I love playing with those guys (Stepan & Wolski)...we just read off each other and we click really good"

For more quotes visit @thenyrangers on Twitter.

Update, 3:41 p.m.:
Steve Eminger will be the scratch on defense tonight.

Original Post:
Steve Zipay tweets that the Rangers will play the same line-up vs. the Ducks as Sunday, meaning Erik Christensen will be a healthy scratch for the second straight game.

...get used to this lineup folks because I think this is what Torts is going with moving forward. The only change I can see, unfortunately, is maybe EC being inserted for Avery a couple of games.

Zipay also reports that Dan Ellis is likely to start tonight for the Ducks.

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Over at The Prospect Park, Jess Rubenstein (who I'm very happy is back after being on the DL with a back issue)  explains how Anaheim rookie defenseman Cam Fowler's success this season combined with Michael Del Zotto's struggles have led to Rangers fans trashing the Dylan McIlrath pick and tries to tell us why the Rangers 2010 first round pick was worth skipping Fowler for...

"That is the element that McIlrath brings to the Rangers, between that 86 inch wingspan and the already built for the NHL body; McIlrath is a defensive stopper. McIlrath means that his partner can pinch in and know that someone will cover for him.

McIlrath does deter people from trying to set up in the crease, McIlrath's 6'5 body says you are not touching Henrik Lundqvist and if McIlrath was a Ranger last season, they would still be scraping off the ice what was left of Carcillo."

Rubenstein also clues us in on some interesting stats regarding Fowler's defensive flaws...

"The whispers said Fowler was soft on defense and right off the bat a -23 does not help his cause...Oh but it gets better people as Fowler in 60 games has just 16 PIMs but here is what should tell you have soft Fowler is; 36 hits and 74 blocked shots. Are you kidding me really you wanted this guy? Why?...A defenseman with just 36 hits? Mats Zucarello has 48 hits in half the number of games played."

...i, as most Rangers fans, was very upset with the Rangers decision to skip over Fowler for McIlrath. But the more I hear and see this kid the more I feel the Rangers made the right decision.

...and now that Rubenstein has pointed out Fowler's defensive deficiencies I'm even more confidence.

...can't wait for the first game he knocks Crosby right on his @ss.

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