A.J. Atchue at NHL.com has a great feature on Evgeny Grachev's development in Hartford...

Rangers Assistant General Manager Jim Schoenfeld said of Grachev...

"He's certainly a strong skater. He has a big shot, and he's strong on the puck. He's starting to develop a complete game, which is one of our goals with him. He was a big scorer in junior, and he's worked hard at becoming a more complete player."

Whale Coach Ken Gernander adds...

"I think he's made great strides in the past month and a half here," Whale coach Ken Gernander said. "All kids develop at a different rate, and sometimes the guys with physical traits such as Evgeny have to work on doing things a little quicker when they get to the next level. They can't rely so much on their physical skills where maybe they were able to get by at lower levels."

Grachev says that the added responsibility of recently being put on the pk has helped improve his defensive game.

...outstanding update on Grachev. Hope this quells a lot of the 'Grachev is a bust' talk I hear so much from Rangers fans.

...i think if the Rangers decide to give up on Grachev they'll be regretting it a few years down the road when he becomes a solid player in this league.

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In a daily debate over at ESPN.com, Scott Burnside said this about the Rangers trying to pursue Brad Richards...

"But back to Richards for a moment. I think it would be a huge step backward for the Rangers to trade off some of their good young players -- players who have really driven the bus for the team all season."

...holy cow, ESPN got something hockey related correct. Gold Star for them today.

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Bergen Record - Rangers' shootout aces

Bergen Record - Devils may need to catch Rangers to earn playoff spot

New York Post - Rangers' Lundqvist gets 200th win vs. Kings

New York Post - Starting shootout first pays off for Rangers

Daily News - Gad-Zuccs: Mats wins it for Rangers

Journal News - Rangers beat L.A. for second straight win

New York Times - Rangers Continue Playoff Push With Shootout Victory Against the Kings

Newsday - Lundqvist earns 200th career victory

Newsday - Prust fighting through injuries

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John Tortorella is happy the Rangers have some balls...



...god I love Torts' press conferences.

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The New York Rangers (31-24-4) defeated the Los Angeles Kings  (32-22-4) by the score of 4-3 in a shootout, tonight. For a recap and box score go to Yahoo! Sports and newyorkrangers.com.

...dont't really remember much from the game (one too many) but I think the Rangers won despite Lundqvist doing his best to start another losing streak.

...those of you who don't think Christensen has a role on this team, tonight is exhibit "A" as to why he needs to be on this team

...Wolski must have some negotiation skills to get himself in the lineup tonight. Maybe Sather needs to consult with him come deadline time.

...i think Dubi purposely took that penalty in OT to keep the pp unit from completely embarrassing themselves.

...if it wasn't for the shootout I would have thought MZA was a scratch.

...i must have been drunk tonight because I think Gaborik scored a clutch goal.

...have I mentioned that Callahan needs to be the Captian asap. Nothing more impressive than shaking off a puck to the face to kill off a penalty.

...I know Anisimov had a goal and an assist tonight, but can someone get him in the weight room please.

...Sauer & McD a combined +6.

...right back at it tomorrow night at The Rock.

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The New York Rangers (30-24-4) host the Los Angeles Kings (32-22-3) at MSG today starting at 7:00 p.m. For a preview go to Yahoo! Sports.

Rangers Game Notes

TV: MSG; Radio: 1050AM ESPN Radio, XM205

Probable Lines:
Dubinsky-Prospal-Gaborik
Zuccarello-Boyle-Callahan
Avery-Anisimov-Stepan
Christensen-Newbury-Prust

Staal-Girardi
Gilroy-Del Zotto
McDonagh-Sauer

Goaltenders:
Henrik Lundqvist - 22-18-4, 2.38 gaa, .921 sv%, 7 so.

Jonathan Bernier - 6-8-1 2.72 gaa, .903 sv%, 1 so

Opponent Notes:
- The Kings have gone 10 consecutive games with a point (8-0-2).

- Los Angeles has won four in a row on the road after a 4-3 shoutout win in Columbus last night.

- The Kings have scored at least four goals in three of the last four games.

- Jarret Stoll has two goals in his previous three games.

- D Drew Doughty has goals in two straight games.

- Anze Kopitar leads the Kings with 54 points (17g, 37a), while Justin Williams leads the team in goals with 20.

- The Kings have failed to score a power play goal (0-for-6) nor allow one in the last four games.

- LW Marco Sturm (knee tendinitis) was placed on injured reserve on Jan. 20 and is considered day to day.

2010-11 Season Series:
Feb. 17 Rangers vs. Kings at MSG

Opponent Blog:
The Royal Half

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Steve Zipay sends out this tweet informing us which scouts who will be in attendance tonight...


...doesn't mean they're looking at Rangers. Actually they're probably looking at the Kings since they don't come out east too often.

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Julie Robenhymer at Hockeybuzz was able to speak with Chris Kreider this weekend and got the impression he was going to finish out his education at Boston College before making the jump to the NHL after saying he'd see Julie on Broadway in three years...

"Problem is, Kreider doesn't want to just make the NHL, he wants to make an impact on the NHL and I don't think he'll make the jump until he's in a good position to do just that. In his mind, if he waits to turn pro, he'll be in a better position to be an integral part of an NHL team, a difference maker, someone who can show you what he's capable of every single night instead of a prospect plugged into the lineup who only shows flashes of brilliance every now and then. He knows there will be adjustments that will need to be made at the next level, but there's a difference between developing in the NHL and adjusting to it. He doesn't want to make the jump without learning everything there is to learn at the college level and there's still more for him to learn and for him to accomplish at BC and he knows it."

...while I selfishly would like to see Krieder in camp next year, if he feels he's not ready then he should stay at BC. Never a good idea to push a kid if he's not ready to make the jump cough Del Zotto cough cough Grachev cough.

...h/t to reader Tom J. for the link.

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Jesse Spector at the Blueshirts Blog will be hosting a live web chat at 2pm today. To participate click here.

...i haven't done one of these in a while so plan on one for next week.

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Update, 11:35 a.m.:
Boogard (concussion) says he's symptom-free and hopes to play again this season but isn't sure if that will happen.

According to Zipay, Fedotenko probably won't be back until early March.

Updated, 11:15 a.m.:
Wojtek Wolski believes he can play tonight, says he'll talk to Torts and trainers. Spector says don't bet on him playing.

Wolski adds that he will be in tomorrow for sure.

Original Post:
Jesse Spector reports that Ruslan Fedotenko skated in a track suit during the Rangers optional game day practice this morning.

Andrew Gross adds that with Marty Biron at the optional it looks like Henrik Lundqvist gets the start against the Kings tonight.

Others at practice include: Eminger, McDonagh, Sauer, Newbury, Prospal, Wolski and Zuccarello.

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