Laurie Carr at Beyond the Blueshirts reports Andrei Nazarov, head coach of the KHL's Checkhov Vityaz, who is known for giving NHL/AHL-rejects such as Chris Simon, Darcy Verot, Brandon Sugden and Josh Gratton a chance was recently in New York to check-in on Artem Anisimov as the Russian National team is interested in him playing for them.

However, during an interview Nazarov, who previously played in the NHL, said he spoke with former teammate Derek Boogaard and may have had a secondary motive for being in New York...

And how would you comment on your interest in Boogard?

- It's clear that nothing has been decided yet, and that general manager Alexei Zhamnov is ultimately in charge of personnel questions for Vityaz. But I've known Derek ever since we played together for Minnesota, when he was taking his first steps in the NHL. Even then I guessed that Boogard would make some noise in the League. And that's happened.

I'll phrase the question in another way: during your trip through the NHL are you searching for a fighter for Vityaz?

- First of all I'm here on national team business. But — I won't hide — the problem you mentioned is solved...

...if Sather is somehow able to unload Boogaard to Russia he is officially a magician.

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TheNYRBlog reader Coleen S. sends this pic of her father and nephew, who she was able to turn into a Rangers fan despite him growing up in the non-hockey friendly Florida area, on the youngsters 10th birthday. Way to carry on the family tradition Coleen...


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Bergen Record - Gaborik practicing but won't face Wild

New York Post - Rangers' slip is showing again

Daily News - Staal 'hopeful' to return for Rangers

New York Times -Many in N.H.L. View Fighting as Necessary

Wall Street Journal - Too Bad the Rangers Can't Play Them All on the Road

Newsday - Gaborik making progress toward return

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Update, 10:29 p.m.:
Mitch Beck at Howlings Today says Del Zotto was wearing a splint on his injured wrist after the game.

Del Zotto said it's going to be examined tomorrow by a hand specialist

 Original Post:

...a lost season for Del Zotto just got worse.

...its gotten so bad the injury bug is following Rangers down to the Whale now.

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Update, 2:41 p.m.:
@thenyrangers posts video of Gaborik talking about concussion here.

Update, 2:00 p.m.:
Per Torts, Gaborik is out tomorrow, while Staal and Fedotenko are game time decisions.

Prust was given maintenance day today and will play tomorrow.

Update, 1:45 p.m.:
Fedotenko says he is feeling better but won't discuss if he will play tomorrow.

Update, 1:43 p.m.:
Here's Gaborik on the concussion...

"It was against Pittsburgh, I got hit by (Brooks) Orpik, and then during the shift after I kind of blacked out for a little bit," Gaborik said. "After that, I had headaches, and was dizzy and couldn't focus. I've never had a concussion, or whatever, before. I thought I was just going to play and it was just going to be a little bell-ringer, but it just kept getting worse and worse."

Update, 1:37 p.m.:
Staal plans to test his knee tomorrow to see if he can return to the lineup, while Gaborik says that he is symptom-free at the moment.

Both Staal and Gaborik are hopeful for tomorrow's game vs. WIld.

...that is outstanding news.

Original Post:
Jim Cerny reports that Gaborik, Staal, and Fedotenko all will take part in practice today.

...can't get these guys back in the line-up soon enough.

However, Jesse Spector tweets that Brandon Prust will not.

...i said this a week or so ago, he needs to sit a few games to recover from his own injuries. Pain seems to be effecting game.

Lines at practice today...

Dubinsky-Anisimov-Callahan
Wolski-Stepan-Zuccarello
Avery-Christensen-Prospal/Gaborik
Fedotenko-Newbury-Boyle

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Greg Wyshynski at Puck Daddy passes along this video from last night's Rangers/Sabres game in which the Versus broadcast booth broke down a play in the Buffalo zone via their telestrator that resulted in an image which made me blush...



...totally did not catch that during the game. Hysterical.

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...really excited to see Ortmeyer getting another chance, especially at MSG.

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Andrew Gross at Rangers Rants reports that G Chad Johnson was recalled after last night's game with Cam Talbot being re-assigned to the CT Whale.

Johnson is 16-19-3 with a 2.72 goals-against in 40 games for Connecticut.

...this was expected as Johnson showed last season he has what it takes to play at the next level. No way the Rangers were going to play a goalie with no NHL experience during the stretch run.

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Rangers head coach John Tortorella speaks with reporters following the Blueshirts' 3-2 loss to the Buffalo Sabres on March 1 at Madison Square Garden.


Henrik Lundqvist, Brandon Dubinsky, Dan Girardi, and Ryan Callahan talk about the Blueshirts 3-2 loss to the Buffalo Sabres on March 1 at The Garden.


Rangers vs. Sabres lowlights

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The New York Rangers (33-28-4) lost to the Buffalo Sabres (30-25-7) by the score of 3-2, last night. For a recap and box score go to Yahoo! Sports and newyorkrangers.com.

...i just can't figure out how this team can come out so flat in such big games. I feel like we're in the movie Groundhogs Day. Slow start and then a furious finish that comes up just short. I know this team has been decimated by injuries, but there is no excuse for coming out that way for the second straight game at home. Having said all that, plenty of season left for the Rangers to turn this around and get into the playoffs.

...there's a lot of complaining about the refs the last two games, but I'm sorry when you score just three goals total in those games are the refs really the ones screwing the Rangers?

...this team needs to start finishing. I know All World goalie Ryan Miller was between the pipes last night, but guys like MZA, Stepan and Prospal need to bang home their opportunities. I know that's a bit harsh to say about two rookies but they're on the team so they need to produce.

...can someone please knock the crap out of an opponent in front of the net? Easiest spot to play against the Rangers.

...was it me or did Hank look real shakey. None of the goals were his fault but he never looked comfortable. Made easy saves look very difficult.

...six shots on goal for McCabe, who is looking real nice on the point on the power play. Wouldn't mind bringing him back on a one or two-year deal.

... i know he scored last night , but what happened to the Anisimov from the beginning of the year? The Rangers really need that guy back.

...Rangers really missed Staal on the pk.

...zero shots on goal in the biggest game of the season. Really Dubi?

...more bad news as Carolina and Montreal also won last night.

...off today than the Wild in town tomorrow.

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