Rick Carpiniello at the Journal News has a great piece on how John Tortorella is fighting for a Rangers youth movement...

"This was early last week, and Tortorella — a Stanley Cup-winning coach and the winningest American-born coach in NHL history — was continuing to be true to his promise that this team will live and die with its youth, with the hiccups and stumbles along the way, and not succumb to the temptation to trade future for present just to make the playoffs."

Torts on Ranger fans accepting a youth movement...

"I think a lot of people say you can't do it in New York," Tortorella said. "But I think New York will accept a hard-working team that's going through the process to become the best they can be, and be good for a while. That's my goal. To be good for a while. Not to sneak in, maybe win a round, and then you're done. That's not what it's all about."

...you know who is one of the people who says you can't have a youth movement in New York? Glen Sather.

...if you didn't already love what Torts is doing with this team, you will now as he is setting the ground work to make Rangers a Stanley Cup contender for years to come.

...h/t to reader rusty.

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...Kennedy won't clear re-entry waivers so as I said last night it looks like another chance for Grachev.

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Jess Rubenstein at The Prospect Park takes an in-depth look at how the Rangers prospects fared last night...

On Christian Thomas (2010 - 2nd)...

"Thomas 28-23-51 puts him 14th in the OHL for scoring but 3rd in goals and 9th in power play goals (9). Thomas has 2 shorthanded goals, 7 "1st" goals, 4 game winning goals and 2 insurance goals.

And did we mention it [sic] this is just in 36 games?"

On Carl Hagelin (2007 - 6th) after he scored twice against Michigan rival Michigan State last night...

"It was Hagelin's 8th multi-point game of the season as the senior from Sweden remains red hot with a 6-6-12 in his last 7 games."

On Chris Kreider (2009 - 1st)...

"Kreider made it back to back nights with a goal as he scored his 7th goal of the season as the Eagles defeated the Providence Friars 3-1 for the weekend sweep. Kreider we hope is making the push we have been waiting all season to see."

...and I haven't even mentioned Bourque, Werek, Horak, McIlrath and Fasth. Like I've been saying all week, exciting times Ranger fans, exciting times.

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During the intermission between overtime and the shootout on Friday night against the Stars, the television cameras caught John Tortorella visibly upset with Brian Boyle on the bench even yelling at him during certain points.

Andrew Gross at Rangers Rants attempted to get to the bottom of it but came up empty...

Gross: Did you think Boyle should have gotten to the net on that centering pass in overtime?
Torts: Which one? Are you trying to ask me about what happened with Boyle?
Gross: Yes.
Torts: That stays in the room. Nice try.

Tortorella did go on to say he considered it no big deal. He knows it was captured by the TV cameras but he said exchanges like that take place all the time on his bench.

...the cameras also caught them coming to an understanding at the end so I'm assuming it ended there.

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Bergen Record - Martin Biron's 24 saves lead Rangers to road win over Blues, 2-1

Bergen Record - Rangers notes: Marty Biron's turn

New York Post - Biron backstops Rangers to victory

Daily News - Avery's goal powers Rangers past Blues

New York Times - A Day Without Goals

Newsday - Biron does the job; Rangers edge Blues

Newsday - Henrik's workload declines

Newsday - Frolov injures right leg

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Update, 12:27 a.m.:
Steve Zipay at Blue Notes has this quote from McD on his injury...

"Anytime you block a shot it's going to sting, but you havbe [sic] to keep going until you get it out of the zone," said McDonagh.

Original Post:
Andrew Gross tweets that the Rangers will not have an update on Alex Frolov tonight. His right leg is being examined after Winchester fell over it in third period.

Gross also reports that Ryan McDonagh was still limping post game after blocking a second period shot near right boot. He was examined after game as well.

...looked like Frolov's injury might be serious. Get Grachev ready.

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Rangers head coach John Tortorella speaks with reporters after the Blueshirts gained a 2-1 win at St. Louis to run their winning streak to three games.


Rangers @ Blues highlights

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The New York Rangers (25-15-3) defeated the St. Louis Blues (20-14-6) by the score of 2-1, tonight. For a recap and box score go to Yahoo! Sports and newyorkrangers.com.

...now that's what I call a successful road trip. Wins against two of the better Western Conference teams. I can't say it enough, man it's fun being a Ranger fan right now.

...here's to hoping MZA to Stepan...goal becomes something we're going to hear a lot of over the course of the next decade. I had a smile on my face for about 10 minutes after that one.

...the Biron signing continues to be the biggest off-season move.

...was that really only Avery's second goal of the season? Why did I start an All Star campaign for him? I kid Sean, third straight solid game from him. Please Torts keep him with Gabby.

...speaking of Gabby, the guy just can't buy a goal. He's getting closer now, which hopefully is a good sign.

...as good of a start Girardi had this season, I never thought he'd be in the All Star Game, but after these last two games I'd be pissed if he wasn't.

...thought McD (+2) looked a lot more comfortable tonight.

...Gilroy's continued solid play probably has fans excited about his increased trade value, which I think is ridiculous. Why would you trade a proven defenseman in favor of a lot of question marks. No guarentee MDZ rediscovers his game, it's only been two games for McD, Valentenko has no NHL games and McIlrath is at least two years away. Keep the kid and re-sign him for cheap this off-season.

...unreal game from pk, especially on the four minute high stick to Avery late in the third.

...couple days off then the Habs in town on Tuesday.

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Update, 7:22 p.m.:
Marty Biron will start in net for the Rangers.

Original Post:
The New York Rangers (24-15-3) visit the St. Louis Blues (20-13-6) at the Scottrade Center tonight starting at 8:00 p.m. For a preview go to Yahoo! Sports.

Rangers Game Notes

TV: MSG; Radio: 1050AM ESPN Radio, XM209

Probable Lines:
Dubinsky-Stepan-Zuccarello
Avery-Anisimov-Gaborik
Fedotenko-Boyle-Prust
Frolov-Drury-Weise

Staal-Girardi
Eminger-Sauer
Gilroy-McDonagh

Goaltenders:
Martin Biron - 6-3-0, 2.39 gaa, .915 sv%, 0 so.

Jaroslav Halak - 15-11-4, 2.51 gaa, .911 sv%, 4 so

Opponent Notes:
- The Blues have a four game winning streak against the Rangers, however, they are winless in their last two overall (0-1-1).

- Jaroslav Halak has won four of his last five starts against the Rangers, compiling a 2.78 goals-against average with one shutout.

- Alex Steen has scored a goal in three consecutive games, giving him 10 goals and seven assists in his last 17.

- David Backes, St. Louis' leader with 32 points, has four goals and four assists in his last six games.

- LW T.J. Oshie had surgery for a broken left ankle and will be sidelined until late January.

- D Eric Brewer has six goals this season, which is two off his career high.

2010-11 Season Series:
Nov. 7 Rangers 0, Blues 2 at MSG
Jan. 8 Rangers vs. Blues at St. Louis

Opponent Blog:
St. Louis Game Time

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Bergen Record - Rangers top Stars in shootout for 3-2 win in Dallas

Bergen Record - Rangers notes: Ryan McDonagh debuts

Bergen Record - Gross: Ryan Callahan's return will boost Rangers

New York Post - Zuccarello, Rangers come back yet again

New York Post - Avery gets little animosity from Big D fans

Daily News - Zuccarello's shootout goal, Lundqvist's big save, win it for Rangers

Newsday - Zuccarello again lifts Rangers to 'W'

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