That's the question Kevin McGran at the Toronto Star asks in his feature on the best and worst bargains in the NHL...

"With a salary cap hit of $525,000, Boyle's goals (through games Jan. 21), cost the Rangers an NHL low $35,000 each. Compare that to Marc Savard, whose two goals have cost the Bruins $2,003,500 (based on a $4,007,000 cap hit).

And he's remarkably productive, given his time on ice. Every minute he's played has cost the Rangers (based on salary cap) a mere $724.05. Compare that to the $16,236.47 per minute his teammate, Derek Boogard makes."

Boyle's former Boston College coach Jerry York had this to say about Boyle being a late bloomer...

"I'm not surprised he's a late developer," says Jerry York, Boyle's coach at Boston College. "It took him a while to become dominant player at the prep school level and at the college level, until his third and fourth years."

...not sure where the Rangers would be without Boyle's resurgence this season. You just have to have so much respect for a guy who knew he was on the bubble and decided on his own to put in the work to get better. Kudos to him.

...h/t to reader A9Gallo.

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On the 50th birthday of Wayne Gretzky, Greg Wyshynski at Puck Daddy gives us the 50 reasons why we love "The Great One" including this memory from his time with the Rangers...

12. Playoff Hat Trick Against Florida

It was a first round match-up with the defending Eastern Conference champions that gave Gretzky one more record and NHL memory. With the New York Rangers up 2-1 in the series against the Panthers, Gretzky recorded his record ninth playoff hat trick in a six and a half minute span to defeat Florida 3-2 and put the Rangers within a win of the second round.

...to me, Gretzky's hat trick was one of the most memoriable moments in Rangers history. Not a Rangers fan alive who doesn't remember "The Great One" turning back the clock that night.

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Steve Zipay at Blue Notes takes a look at the Rangers schedule after the All Star break...

"After the All-Star break, the Rangers have 30 games remaining, with 16 of them against teams currently in the playoffs. They face Philadelphia three times, Pittsburgh three times, Montreal, Boston and Atlanta twice, and Washington, Tampa, Detroit and Anaheim once."

Zipay adds that there are 16 games at home and 14 on the road, with the final three games of the regular season at Madison Square Garden.

...man that's a tough schedule. That's why loses to inferior opponents like last night are so tough. Remember the Rangers missed out on the playoffs last year by one point. Hate to look back at a loss to the Panthers as a reason they didn't get in.

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Dave Lozo at NHL.com has a great feature on Mats Zuccarello thriving in the NHL despite his size...

"Instead, the 23-year-old Zuccarello is being praised by teammates not only for his immense skill, but for his willingness to ask questions and take directions. His mix of talent, bravado and awareness that he -- an MVP of a major European professional league -- has a lot to learn at this level is winning over everyone in the Rangers organization."

...i said this last night MZA is here to stay. I don't care who comes back from injury or what trades may be made this kid isn't going anywhere.

...the thing I've been most surprised about is his toughness. He has no fear of going into the corners and mixing it up with the best of them.

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Bergen Record - Rangers' rally falls short

Bergen Record - Rangers notes: Some back with the Whale

New York Post - Weaver's unexpected goal halts Blueshirts' comeback

New York Post - Tortorella bids fond farewell to Del Zotto

New York Post - Gritty Blueshirts in good position at All-Star break

Daily News - Panthers ruin Rangers' late comeback

Journal News - Rangers ready for a break

New York Times - Strange Bounce Wipes Out Rangers’ Late Rally

Newsday - Rangers lose on fluke goal

Newsday - Staple: Rangers desperately need break

Newsday - Girardi should return first game after break

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Update, 11:30 p.m.:
Jim Cerny adds that Prospal is not ready to return next Tuesday against the Penguins and that it may be up to three weeks longer before his return.

Update, 11:16 p.m.:
Jesse Spector tweets that the Rangers activated Ryan Callahan and Vinny Prospal after the game.

...all reports had Callahan targeting the February 1st game for his return so this is great news.

...not so sure this means that Vinny is ready to go as there have been mixed reports on his recovery from knee surgery, plus with the Rangers sending five players down to Hartford their roster was down to 18 and they need to have it at 20 so activating Vinny may have been just a house cleaning move.

Original Post:

...this was expected as the CT Whale plays twice this weekend and it's a good way to get these guys some extra work.

...my guess is that with Callahan and Girardi expected back Dupont, Grachev and Del Zotto probably aren't getting recalled for the Rangers first game after the break on Feb. 1st against the Pens.

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Update, 11:35 p.m.:
Rick Carpiniello at the Rangers Report has numerous post game player quotes here.

Original Post:
 

Rangers head coach John Tortorella speaks to reporters after the Blueshirts fell to the Florida Panthers 4-3 on Jan. 25 at Madison Square Garden.


Rangers vs. Panthers lowlights

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The New York Rangers (29-20-3) lost to the Florida Panthers (22-21-5) by the score of 2-1 in a shootout, tonight. For a recap and box score go to Yahoo! Sports and newyorkrangers.com.

...it's gotten to the point with this team that I'm actually shocked they weren't able to finish off the comeback. Give them full marks for once again not giving up, but when you're playing from behind all the time eventually it's going to bite you.

...hopefully Torts keeps Anisimov away from Hank after this one.

...ok who wants to start the Brandon Prust fan club? I'll be your first member.

...pretty safe to say no matter how many Rangers come back from injury MZA isn't going anywhere.

...it's a power play goal!!! And it's about freakin' time.

...with all the injures to All Stars this year is it out of the realm of possibility that Boyle gets the call as a replacement?

...i know he had a -2, but I really loved Del Zotto's offensive game tonight. His outlet pass was on point.

...21 minutes for Avery!!!!

...i officially feel sorry for Drury. The guy cannot buy a goal. I actually thought tonight was one of his better games this season.

...seven days off for the All Star break and then the possible return of Ryan Callahan against the Penguins.

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The New York Rangers (29-19-3) host the Florida Panthers (21-21-5) at MSG tonight starting at 7:00 p.m. For a preview go to Yahoo! Sports.

Rangers Game Notes

TV: MSG; Radio: 1050AM ESPN Radio, XM207

Probable Lines:
Avery-Boyle-Gaborik
Wolski-Stepan-Zuccarello
Prust-Anisimov-Grachev
Drury-Newbury-Kolarik

Staal-Sauer
McDonagh-Gilroy
Del Zotto-Eminger

Goaltenders:
Henirk Henirk - 21-15-3, 2.25 gaa, .927 sv%, 7 so.

Tomas Vokoun - 16-15-3, 2.51 gaa, .923 sv%, 5 so

Opponent Notes:
- Florida has lost four straight games (0-1-3).

- Tomas Vokoun, who is dealing with an upper body injury, is 1-2-2 with a 3.03 GAA in his last five starts. He’s also dropped three of his last four starts at MSG with a 4.01 GAA.

- Stephen Weiss leads the Panthers with 33 points, but has none in the last three games as well as no goals in the last nine games

- D Dennis Wideman has three goals in his previous seven games.

- Former Ranger Chris Higgins will return to the Panthers line-up after missed eight straight games with a hamstring injury.

- C Marty Reasoner has just one goal in his last six games.

2010-11 Season Series:
Nov. 26 Rangers 3, Panthers 0 at Florida
Jan. 2 Rangers 0, Panthers 3 at Florida
Jan. 25 Rangers vs. Panthers at MSG
March 22 Rangers vs. Panthers at MSG

Opponent Blog:
On Frozen Pond

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This segment aired on Versus last night.

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