Bergen Record - Rangers lose two more players, but beat the Thrashers in shootout, 3-2

Bergen Record - Rangers notebook: Vinny Prospal encouraged

New York Post - Rangers rally despite more injuries

New York Post - Zuccarello shines in shootout -- again

New York Post - Torts has JMac's back

New York Post - 99 turning 50 — and feeling forever young

Daily News - Zuccarello nets game-winning goal, but Rangers lose two more players to injury

Newsday - Rangers rally to beat Thrashers

Newsday - Drury bumped to fourth line

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Rangers head coach John Tortorella speaks with reporters after the Blueshirts defeated the Atlanta Thrashers 3-2 in an OT shootout win at Philips Arena.

...almost fell off my couch when Torts called MZA a little $hit (3 min. mark).


Rangers @ Thrashers highlights

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Update, 10:56 p.m.:
Boyle on Prust...

"He's a warrior and it's an honor to play with him"

Torts had to force Prust out of the game due to the injury.

...f'n love this guy.

Update, 10:40 p.m.:
Prust on the injury...

"I just eventually couldn't skate on it, I couldn't put weight on it," Prust said. "We're going to try for it. I guess it's day to day right now."

Original Post:
The Rangers announce that Evgeny Grachev and Michael Del Zotto have been recalled because of the injuries to Dan Girardi and Brandon Prust and Dale Weise has been sent back to the CT Whale.

Regarding those injuries, Girardi (rib muscle) and Prust (left ankle) are both day to day. While Staal (left shoulder) will play on Monday.

Prust, whose x-ray was negative, says he'll play on Monday vs. the Capitals.

...great night for Grachev to score a hat trick. Really no choice for Rangers here.

...while I hope everyone is ok, I wouldn't mind seeing both Grachev and MDZ in the lineup on Monday.

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The New York Rangers (28-19-3) defeated the Atlanta Thrashers (23-18-9) by the score of 3-2 in a shootout, tonight. For a recap and box score go to Yahoo! Sports and newyorkrangers.com.

...by far the most impressive win of the season. To be able to defeat a good Thrashers team with a line-up two men down and filled with more AHL talent than NHL is something the team should be very proud of.

...Boyle's skating instructor officially deserves a raise.

...MZA is the new Nigel Dawes in the shootout.

...the save Hank made in the second period with his blocker hand while laying on the ice might have been the sickest I've ever seen.

...Torts has to be the leading candidate for coach of the year.

...it's officially time to forgive Girardi for not coming to Gaborik's aid last year. Assuming he has a broken nose and that he'll get a face shield and be right back in there on Monday.

...0-for-2 on the power play including a 5-on-3 against the 29th ranked pk. Not good.

...Wolski continues to impress with his 3rd goal in seven games as a Ranger. Great hands.

...first real misplay by McDonagh losing position on Stewart on Atlanta's second goal, but I think he lost the puck after the point shot hit Stewart.

...no shifts for Avery in OT? Really Torts?

...let's hope Prust is ok. If not, Grachev scored a hat trick tonight for the Whale.

...real quick, who had the second most ice time tonight? The answer Mike Sauer. Well deserved.

...-2 for Eminger tonight. His game has been slipping lately.

...off tomorrow then to our nation's capital to face the Capitals.

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The New York Rangers (27-19-3) visit the Atlanta Thrashers (23-18-8) at Philips Arena tonight starting at 7:00 p.m. For a preview go to Yahoo! Sports.

Rangers Game Notes

TV: MSG Plus; Radio: 970AM The Apple, XM207

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

Staal-Girardi
Gilroy-Sauer
McDonagh-Eminger

Goaltenders:
Henrik Lundqvist - 20-15-3, 2.26 gaa, .927 sv%, 7 so.

Ondrej Pavelec - 16-11-6, 2.47 gaa, .926 sv%, 2 so

Opponent Notes:
- The Thrashers have allowed 28 goals while dropping five of six.

- Ondrej Pavelec has a 4.09 goals-against average in the last six games..

- Dustin Byfuglien has 16 goals and leads Atlanta with 41 points, but failed to notch a point in seven games.

- D Zach Bogosian has been a healthy scratch the last two games and is a -12 on the season.

- Former Ranger Nigel Dawes was recalled to Atlanta for Thursday night's game and got his first point (an assist) of the season. While another former Blueshirt Nik Antropov has 7g, 16a in 43 games this season.

- Freddy Modin (mid-body) has missed the last five games.

2010-11 Season Series:
Oct. 27 Rangers 4, Thrashers 6 at MSG
Jan. 22 Rangers vs. Thrashers at Atlanta
Feb. 11 Rangers vs. Thrashers at Atlanta
April 7 Rangers vs. Thrashers at MSGhui

Opponent Blog:
Thrashing the Blues

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Update, 12:05 p.m.:
Nevermind, it's Lundqvist starting in goal against the Thrashers tonight in Atlanta.

Update, 12:01 p.m.:
Looks like Marty Biron tonight.

Original Post:
Steve Zipay tweets that John Tortorella is on the ice for the morning skate which is a rare occurance.

Meanwhile, Vinny Prospal is also skating with the team and even celebrated scoring a goal on Henrik Lundqvist. In other injured Rangers news Ryan Callahan will have a solo skate with equipment this afternoon.

Finally here are tonight's lines...

Avery-Anisimov-Gaborik
Kolarik-Boyle-Prust
Wolski-Stepan-Zuccarello
Dupont-Newbury-Drury

Weise will be the healthy scratch. No word on goaltender yet

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Jess Rubenstein at The Prospect Park reports that both Dylan McIlrath (2010 - 1st) and Carl Hagelin (2007 - 6th) are on significant scoring streaks...

On McIlrath...

Dylan McIlrath (2010 1st) had an assist as his Moose Jaw Warriors defeated the Edmonton Oil Kings 6-3 to earn their 4th straight win and jump into 4th place in the WHL's Eastern Conference. McIlrath set up Moose Jaw's 5th goal for this 19th point of the season (4-15-19)  and a 3 game scoring streak.

On Hagelin's two assists in Michigan's 2-0 win over Alaska...

For Hagelin the 2 assists extended his scoring streak to 8 games (6-10-16) and something to note about his streak is that 7 games were multi-point games. Hagelin is now 13-19-32.

...McIlrath has been on a nice little scoring run as he had  a three point game the other night. If this kid can contribute on the offensive end to go along with his toughness he might end up justifying the Rangers grabbing him ahead of Fowler..

...i know there have been rumors about the Rangers not signing Hagelin, but I'm assuming if something doesn't get done it's going to be because the kid doesn't want to be a Blueshirt not the other way around. I mean what could the Rangers not like?

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Bergen Record - Blueshirts are swimming with whales

New York Post - Rangers coach has off-day meet

Daily News - Tortorella says Blueshirts 'can't run and gun' after loss to Hurricanes

Newsday - Kolarik to get another chance

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...Rangers better enjoy this as they play three games in four nights starting tomorrow in Atlanta.

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Update, 11:33 a.m.:
One additional thought on Drury. I do think that if the Rangers are lucky enough to make the playoffs he could play a valuable role similar to the Olympics last year. Can't underestimate the value of experience in the playoffs.

Original Post:
Dave Shapiro over at Blueshirt Banter gives us the run down of what it will cost to buy out Chris Drury...

"Buying out Drury during the summer of 2011 would result in a $3.7 million cap hit for the 2011-2012 season (saving the Rangers $3.35 million in cap space), and a $1.67 million cap hit for the 2012-2013 season, a season where Drury's initial contract would have expired. The $3.35 million in cap space saved goes a long way, especially considering Wade Redden and his $6.5 million cap hit will be on the summer cap. During a summer when the Rangers will look to sign Brad Richards, every dollar in cap space is important."

...i think last night might have been Drury's last chance to prove he can still play and he failed miserably. It was so bad for him a CT Whale callup took his spot on a line with Boyle & Prust.

...Jesse Spector over at the Daily News has talked recently about how important Drury is in the locker room, but I think the Rangers have enough young leaders (Cally, Dubi & Staal) to make up for the loss of Drury.

...sure he's great on the pk and can block shots, but so is almost everyone on the team.

...while the Rangers would take a cap hit for an extra year if they were to buy out Drury, I think it may be worth it.

...thoughts?

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