Eminger returns, Biron starts vs. Bolts
February, 9, 2012
Feb 9
4:46
PM ET
By
Katie Strang | ESPNNewYork.com
Rangers defenseman Steve Eminger will return to the lineup Thursday against Tampa Bay after missing almost two months with a separated right shoulder.
Eminger was medically cleared to play Monday but sat in favor of fellow defenseman Stu Bickel in Tuesday's 1-0 shutout loss to the Devils.
Eminger has two goals, two assists and a plus-2 rating in 30 games for the Rangers this season. He will likely play with Marc Staal on the team's third defensive pairing.
• • •
With the Rangers playing three game in four nights, backup Martin Biron will make his 13th start of the season; he is 10-7-2 in 19 career games against Tampa.
Don't call him a backup in front of John Tortorella, though.
The fiery coach bristled at the label and said the 34-year-old "deserves respect," as part of the team's "tandem" of goaltenders.
"I just don't like to call him a backup," Tortorella said. "He's one of our goaltenders."
Eminger was medically cleared to play Monday but sat in favor of fellow defenseman Stu Bickel in Tuesday's 1-0 shutout loss to the Devils.
Eminger has two goals, two assists and a plus-2 rating in 30 games for the Rangers this season. He will likely play with Marc Staal on the team's third defensive pairing.
With the Rangers playing three game in four nights, backup Martin Biron will make his 13th start of the season; he is 10-7-2 in 19 career games against Tampa.
Don't call him a backup in front of John Tortorella, though.
The fiery coach bristled at the label and said the 34-year-old "deserves respect," as part of the team's "tandem" of goaltenders.
"I just don't like to call him a backup," Tortorella said. "He's one of our goaltenders."
Katie Strang
ESPNNewYork.comKatie Strang covers the Rangers, Islanders and Devils for ESPNNewYork.com. She is a graduate of Michigan State University and the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism.
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ABOUT THIS BLOG
Katie Strang
After spending the past two seasons as the Islanders beat writer for Newsday, Katie Strang joins ESPNNewYork.com to cover the Rangers, Isles and Devils. She is a graduate of Michigan State University and Columbia University's Graduate School of Journalism.
Mike Hume
Mike Hume is a general editor for ESPN Insider, for which he coordinates NHL coverage, including the NHL Draft Blog. He has followed hockey since The Whale skated at the Civvy, and has covered the sport since 2004.
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