Jesse Spector at the Blueshirts Blog reports that while John Tortorella took a pass on discussing the cheap shot elbow Matt Cooke landed to Ryan McDonagh's jaw, Glen Sather had this to say...

"Don't worry, he should get 10 games!"

...not sure if he's able to but I'd like to see Sather make a call to Campbell to lobby for a stiff suspension.

McDonagh on the hit...

"I didn't see him coming," McDonagh said of Cooke. "I had no idea. I know it hurt, that's for sure. "I'm sure he's not trying to get his team a five-minute penalty. He's probably just trying to finish his check, and just caught me – caught me wrong."

...assuming when the mics aren't on McD has a different take on the hit.



In the Penguins defense, here is what Dan Bylsma had to say after the game...

“I don’t think you can talk about eliminating head shots from the game, as we have, as an organization, and not expect that to be examined, as what looks to be contact right to the head, on the play. The league will look at that, and treat it as such.”

...the saddest part was watching all the Pens fans who cried about the Islanders cheap shots a month ago defend this guy on Twitter tonight. Didn't Lemieux say he'd leave the game if this cheap stuff didn't cease. Guess we should expect a press conference announcing that tomorrow.

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The New York Rangers (39-30-4) defeated the Pittsburgh Penguins (41-23-8) by the score of 5-2, today. For a recap and box score go to Yahoo! Sports and newyorkrangers.com.

...i didn't catch the game live, but I did see the score before I watched on the DVR and assumed it was a Rangers blowout. Man was I wrong. With the Rangers power play just giving up a shorthanded goal and doing nothing on a 5-on-3 I thought I misread the final score, but as has been the case all year this team dug down deep and found a way to win a huge game against a tough Penguins team.

...maybe Hank should play with a sore neck all the time.

...all I have to say is Ryan "C"allahan.

...not sure why Rangers fans are hating on Matt Cooke, he won the Blueshirts the game. Great to see McD was able to finish out the game.

...he's baaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaack the 09-10 Gaborik is finally making an appearance as the Rangers sniper has goals in three straight.

...i figured out the reason Staal didn't play today was that Torts was afraid Marc's other brother Jordan was going to lay him out the way Eric did last month. Smart move coach.

...did I actually say I'd be pissed if the Rangers not wanting to give up Anisimov was the reason the Richards trade didn't go down? Good thing I'm not the one making decisions over there. Add some muscle to AA this summer and he could be a force for years to come.

...Dubinsky must have the record for empty net goals in a season. Can someone look that up?

...seriously, did anyone think Sauer was going to be this good at the start of the season? Me neither.

...nice confidence goal for Stepan who had just one goal in his previous 9 games. Nice to see his line getting some late game minutes. Only going to help with his development.

...did the refs really call a penalty on McD for getting punch in the face with less than four to play? Awful.

...Buffalo loses in OT, while Devils and Montreal win.

...off tomorrow then the next biggest game of the season as the Panthers are in town.

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The New York Rangers (38-30-4, 78 pts., 7th in East) visit the Pittsburgh Penguins (41-22-8, 90 pts., 4th in East) at CONSOL Energy Center today starting at 12:30 p.m. For a preview go to Yahoo! Sports.

Rangers Game Notes

TV: NBC; Radio: 970AM The Apple, XM 205

Probable Lines:
Gaborik-Christensen-Prospal
Dubinsky-Anisimov-Callahan
Wolski-Stepan-Zuccarello
Fedotenko-Boyle-Prust

Eminger-Girardi
McDonagh-Sauer
McCabe-Gilroy

Goaltenders:
Henrik Lundqvist - 30-24-4, 2.35 gaa, .920 sv%, 9 so.

Marc-Andre Fleury - 31-17-5, 2.35 gaa, .918 sv%, 2 so.

Opponent Notes:
- The Penguins have won four of their last five games.

- The Penguins are 2-for-40 on the power play over their last 12 games.

- Chris Kunitz has two goals and three assists in four games.

- Former Ranger Alex Kovalev has just 1g, 1a in the 9 games since being traded to the Penguins from Ottawa.

- Sidney Crosby remains out of the lineup indefinitely with a concussion. The team has not released any information regarding a timetable for Crosby returning because, simply, there isn't one. He has resumed skating.

- C Evgeni Malkin is off crutches and is almost a month removed from surgery to repair the torn ACL and MCL in his right knee.

- D Brooks Orpik is out at least one more week because of a broken finger.

2010-11 Season Series:
Nov. 15 Rangers 3, Penguins 2 (OT) at Pittsburgh
Nov. 29 Rangers 1, Penguins 3 at MSG
Dec. 15 Rangers 4, Penguins 1 at Pittsburgh
Feb. 1 Rangers 3 vs. Penguins 4 (SO) at MSG
Feb. 13 Rangers 5 vs. Penguins 3 at MSG
March 20 Rangers vs. Penguins at Pittsburgh

Opponent Blog:
The Pens Blog

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Update, 10:52 p.m.:
Torts pre game presser (via Jesse Spector)...



Original Post:
Andrew Gross tweets that despite a sore neck Henrik Lundqvist will start today against the Penguins, however, Marc Staal is out with an undisclosed injury. Meaning Matt Gilroy is back in.

Regarding Staal injury, John Tortorella says this close to playoffs his fear is other team's target injured areas on players that are hurt, so he doesn't want to put Staal at risk.

New defensive pairings...

Eminger-Girardi
McDonagh-Sauer
McCabe-Gilroy

Sean Avery is once again a healthy scratch.

...great news on Hank, but wtf happened to Staal? He did take a stick to the eye against Montreal but did return. Could be the knee injury flaring up.

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One of the biggest complains Rangers fans have these days is the Blueshirts not coming to the aid of Henrik Lundqvist when he is run. While Sauer has been the exception, it still hasn't deterred opponents from trying to take out The King.

Which is why these two videos (via Prospect Park) from this weekend of Dylan McIlrath stepping in after a teammate is targeted should have every Ranger fan giddy...





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Bergen Record - Rangers' Henrik Lundqvist skips practice, still iffy for Sunday's game

New York Post - Rangers goalie battling stiff neck, questionable vs. Penguins

New York Post - Trainer, not refs, making the call

Daily News - Stiff neck may keep Hank out vs. Pens

Newsday - Johnson to play if Lundqvist can't

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As expected, Henrik Lundqvist will not participate in practice today. No one from the CT Whale has been called up for tomorrow's game in Pittsburgh.

Lundvqist says he "feels better" today and "fortunately it's nothing serious...I will be fine.

"It's just pain, nothing that can get worse..still very stiff, but had some treatment & will have whole afternoon 2 take it easy," Lundqvist added. "I am getting ready to play, that's still my goal, but we'll see how it feels later..."

John Tortorella on the Hank injury...

"(Chad Johnson) has played some games with us, he's been sharp in practice...if Hank can't go tomorrow, Johnny goes in & we play. There's no doom and gloom here...tomorrow we will have a goalie in net...it's either going to be Johnny or it's going to be Hank"

Chad Johnson says he's preparing to play.

...Hank is such a competitor that unless his neck is broken, fully expect him to be in there tomorrow. These games are way too important.

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Breaking sports news video. MLB, NFL, NBA, NHL highlights and more.

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Christopher Botta at Slap Shots has a great piece on how Brandon Prust got the Rangers going with his fight against Travis Moen just 1 second into last night's 6-3 win over the Habs.

Prust on if he wanted to give the team a spark with the fight...

"We both wanted to. There was a lot of energy out there. Even during the national anthems, the building was alive. We wanted to get the blood pumping and get everyone going."

Here's the fight...



Video of Dan Girardi talking about Prust's importance to the Rangers after last night's game...



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Bergen Record - Rangers win, but neck injury could sideline Henrik Lundqvist

Bergen Record - Gross: Sean Avery could still be useful for Rangers

New York Post - Rangers' offense explodes in victory

Daily News - Rangers show some fight, beat Habs

Daily News - Avery scratched, may be on way out

Newsday - Staple: Season could hinge on Lundqvist's neck

Newsday - Lundqvist hurts neck in big win

Newsday - Johnson up next in goal for Rangers?

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