Kevin Allen at USA Today looks at some future sites and matchups the NHL may consider for future Winter Classics...

1. New York: Yankee Stadium would be the best choice, but the venue is committed to the Pinstripe Bowl college football game for four years. This year's bowl is today, meaning there wouldn't be enough time to prepare ice for a New Year's Day hockey game. That would leave the New Meadowlands and Citi Field in play for a Winter Classic. Although it would seem like a New York Rangers-New Jersey Devils or Rangers-New York Islanders game would be a natural, that probably won't happen, because how would the league tell one of those three they couldn't be involved? The best guess for the first Winter Classic in New York would be the Rangers against the Philadelphia Flyers.

4. Philadelphia: A rabid fan base. National appeal. A big market. NBC would love to see the Rangers-Flyers on New Year's from Lincoln Financial Center.

...looks like Allen is a big fan of a Rangers/Flyers match-up as he mentions it twice in his article.

...man how bad would it suck if the Rangers finally get in a Winter Classic and it's in Philly?

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Andrew Gross at the Bergen Record reports that the Rangers recalled Dale Weise from the Connecticut Whale following their 3-1 win over the Devils, a move prompted by center Erik Christensen injuring his right knee at 8:16 of the second period.

Coach John Tortorella reported Christensen suffered a "mild sprain" though X-rays were not immediately taken. Christensen said he did not know if he would accompany the team on its two-game Florida trip.

...i loved the game Weise brought against Philly a few weeks back and am looking forward to him being back in the line-up this weekend.

...hope none of the games go to a shootout b/c other than Christensen the Rangers have no one who can score, other than MZA.

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The Rangers e-mailed this video to fans (probably just to season tix holders) who attended the Rangers/Islanders game on Monday despite the tough conditions from the blizzard....



....nice work by the Rangers. Offering refunds would have been nicer.

...h/t to reader Gary H.

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Bergen Record - Henrik Lundqvist is the difference in the Rangers' win over the Devils

Bergen Record - Rangers notes: Dale Weise recalled

New York Post - Lundqvist's 43 saves lead Rangers past Devils

New York Post - Hard work paying dividends for Rangers

New York Post - Rangers demote White in cap move

Daily News - Rangers and Lundqvist keep last-place Devils in deep, dark basement

New York Times - After Years of Reaching Playoffs, Devils Reach the Bottom

Newsday - Lundqvist stops 43, Rangers top Devils

Newsday - Del Zotto patiently awaits another chance

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Rangers head coach John Tortorella speaks with reporters after the Blueshirts beat the New Jersey Devils 3-1 at the Prudential Center.


Rangers @ Devils highlights

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The New York Rangers (22-14-2) defeated the New Jersey Devils (9-25-2) by the score of 3-1, tonight. For a recap and box score go to Yahoo! Sports and newyorkrangers.com.

...holiday party + booze = no game recap last night. Sorry folks.

...a little bit harder than you would think against a struggling a Devils team, but two points is two points and these are the teams the Rangers have to beat if they want to get in the playoffs.

...i think Dubinsky is going for the record for empty net goals in a season.

...Rozsival's goal probably didn't help MDZ's chances of getting back in the lineup anytime soon.

...not sure what it is, but when Hank is lined up against Brodeur he takes his game to another level.

...is Boyle actually making a case for himself to be in the All Star game?

...man it's nice to see the Devils suck for once.

...off until New Year's night in Tampa.

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The New York Rangers (21-14-2) visit the New Jersey Devils (9-24-2) at the Prudential Center tonight 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:
Zuccarello-Stepan-Gaborik
Dubinsky-Anisimov-Drury
Fedotenko-Boyle-Prust
Avery-Christensen-Frolov

Staal-Girardi
Eminger-Rozsival
Gilroy-Sauer

Goaltenders:
Henrik Lundqvist - 15-12-2, 2.52 gaa, .918 sv%, 5 so.

Martin Brodeur - 5-17-1, 3.08 gaa, .884 sv%, 3 so

Opponent Notes:
- The Devils have lost five in a row scoring just one goal in each of the loses.

- Martin Brodeur has started every game during the five game slide, compiling a 4.89 GAA while being chased twice.

- This is Jacques Lemaire's third term as coach of the Devils after taking over for the fired John McLean last week.

- New Jersey has scored one or none in 20 of their 35 games and two goals or fewer 27 times. They are averaging 1.74 goals per game.

- Ilya Kovalchuk (8g, 10a) is a -26 this season.

- Patrik Elias has one or two points in eight of the last 11 games

- Jamie Langenbrunner hasn't scored a goal in the 11 games since his return from a neck injury. RW David Clarkson has no points in the last 11 games, no goals in 13. C Jason Arnott has no points in the last eight games, no goals in 10. C Dainius Zubrus has no points in the last five games, no goals in seven.

- Zach Parise (knee surgery) can't skate until March, and he could be gone for the year.

- Brian Rolston was waived and assigned to the Devils AHL affiliate in Albany yesterday.

2010-11 Season Series:
Oct. 24 Rangers 3, Devils 1 at MSG
Nov. 5 Rangers 3, Devils 0 at New Jersey
Dec. 29 Rangers vs. Devils at New Jersey
Feb. 3 Rangers vs. Devils at MSG
Feb. 18 Rangers vs. Devils at New Jersey
April 9 Rangers vs. Devils at MSG

Opponent Blog:
Running with the Devils

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Newyorkrangers.com reports that Todd White and his $2.375 million salary have been assigned to the Connecticut Whale.

White, 35, has tallied one goal and one assist in 18 games this season.

...i was one of the few people who thought White could come in here and recapture the magic he had with Kovalchuk a few years back. Man, was I wrong.

...at least the Rangers were able to use him to get Brashear's salary off the books. Great job Todd.

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Update, 1:36 p.m.:
Andrew Gross at Ranger Rants reports that White was not at optional practice (healthy scratches usually attend). Also no stall set up for him in locker room or uniform set out.

Update, 1:29 p.m.:
Michael Del Zotto, who feels his benching is part of the learning experience, said cortizone shot hurt but allowed him to skate this morning, while Vinny Prospal says left knee is still weaker than right and is leaving decision on return up to trainers.

Update, 12:43 p.m.:
Baldwin move does not mean White will be sent down as there is no roster limit until after clear day and Baldwin is a defenseman while White is obviously a forward.

Update, 12:28 p.m.:
White has officially cleared waivers.

Update, 12:25 p.m.:
CT Whale's Lee Baldwin has been assigned to ECHL Greenville, likely making room for White.

Original Post:
There were 11 players on the ice this morning for the Rangers optional practice in prep for tonight's game at The Rock against the Devils.

One player who was not on the ice is Todd White who may be on his way to Connecticut.

Michael Del Zotto received a cortisone shot this morning for his ailing groin, while Henrik Lundqvist gets the start tonight.

...awesome job as always by Jesse Spector of the Daily News tweeting out all this information.

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TheNYRBlog reader Josh sents me this pic of him and his buddy with Chris Drury and Brian Boyle while waiting for their very delayed train back up to Albany after Monday night's thrashing of the Islanders. Josh had to drive half way then take the train the rest of the way just to make it to the game due to the blizzard.


As always send me your pics at Rangers games and events to my e-mail ( This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. ) and I will post them on the blog.

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