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At a glance: In a rowdy Game 4 that delivered all the nastiness lacking in the first three games, the Devils proved that Henrik is human after all. Shut out twice in the first three games against the Rangers, the Devils solved the mind-bogglingly steady Henrik Lundqvist with a 4-1 win that tied the series at two games apiece. Devils captain Zach Parise led the charge, finishing with two goals and an assist in a stellar performance that had the Prudential Center buzzing, while goaltender Martin Brodeur made 30 saves and added an assist on Parise's late-game empty-netter.

Rough stuff: The arena reached a fever pitch midway into the third after ex-Devil Mike Rupp shoved Brodeur after the play, igniting a melee that eventually ensnared both coaches. John Tortorella and Pete DeBoer screamed at each other from the bench while their players tangled on the ice -- the second time this season the two have gone at it during a game. Both coaches traded barbs during the teams' last regular-season meeting March 19.

Playoff performer: Recording his third goal of the playoffs -- after being held without one during all 82 games of the regular season -- Devils defenseman Bryce Salvador beat Lundqvist five-hole with a shot through traffic fired from the left point at 8:10. The 36-year-old veteran has three goals and six assists in 16 games this postseason.

Another benching: Two games after stapling Marian Gaborik to the bench, Tortorella exercised the tough-love strategy on young defenseman Michael Del Zotto. After a first-period miscue led to the Devils’ second goal of the night, Del Zotto coughed the puck up 2:57 into the second and didn’t see the ice the rest of the period.

Two-on-one: A gaffe along the boards by Del Zotto led to a two-on-one rush that allowed New Jersey to pad its one-goal lead. Parise made a perfect setup to linemate Travis Zajac, who one-timed the puck for a 2-0 advantage at 11:59.

First fisticuffs: Tensions finally erupted for the series’ first fight -- albeit a brief one -- 9:26 into the first, as Adam Henrique and Ryan McDonagh tangled. Henrique seemed to take exception to McDonagh’s cross-check after the whistle and both were sent to the box for fighting. The rough stuff continued in the second period when Rangers captain Callahan and Devils sniper Ilya Kovalchuk went after each other on more than one occasion. Both were sent to the box -- Callahan for roughing, Kovalchuk for slashing -- after one nasty sequence during which Callahan swiped at Kovalchuk’s helmet only to receive a spear to the stomach in retaliation.

Bickel in for Prust: With Brandon Prust serving a one-game suspension for his elbow on Anton Volchenkov in Game 3, defenseman Stu Bickel was used to replace him as a forward, although that plan didn’t last for long. With Del Zotto benched in the second period, Bickel was put back on defense.

What's next: Game 5, Wednesday at Madison Square Garden, 8 p.m.

By now, many of you have run across this stat: No team since 1987 (when the playoffs switched to a seven-game series format) has gone on to win the Stanley Cup after playing 14 games in the first two rounds.

Beginning Monday, the Rangers will try to be the first.

In less than 48 hours, New York will host the New Jersey Devils in the Eastern Conference Finals -- a Hudson River Clash that marks the third playoff meeting between the two teams since the lockout.

Whereas the sixth-seeded Devils knocked off the Flyers in five games, the Rangers required seven to dispose of the pesky Washington Capitals. But don't even think of uttering the "F" word: fatigue.

"No challenge," defenseman Michael Del Zotto said when asked if the Devils have an advantage given the rest they've enjoyed since their semifinal victory. "We're all in great shape here. 14 games, we played 82 in the [regular] season]. It's not a big deal. We're ready to get back to work Monday and everyone's excited."

Captain Ryan Callahan said the team will take one night to relish the victory before hitting the re-set button and re-adjusting their sights on their Atlantic Division rivals.

"We''ll enjoy this tonight," Callahan said. "But tomorrow we gotta get focused again to play Monday."

Brad Richards' point was simple, yet summed up the Rangers' plan on offense.

"We've just got to do more," the center said.

With another seven-game series possibly on the horizon, the Rangers are hoping they can galvanize their offense entering Game 5 against Washington on Monday at Madison Square Garden. The Rangers have scored just nine goals in four games, and have tallied just five in their last 12 periods of hockey, including three overtimes.

"We have to shoot the puck more and create more offense and the only way we're going to do that is to get pucks to the net," captain Ryan Callahan said at the team's optional practice Sunday. "It's definitely something we need to improve on and get more of."

While the defense has been solid and Henrik Lundqvist has been stellar for the most part, the offense hasn’t held up it's end of the bargain thus far. After scoring three goals in the first game, the Rangers have failed to reach that mark in each game since.

Washington has received good play in net in the series and has used strong defense to keep the Rangers at bay, its players not afraid to throw their body in front of the pucks and block shots. In Saturday's game, Washington blocked 26 shots, six more than the total number of shots the Rangers had on goal in a 3-2 loss.

"Frustration, you can't let that creep in," said Callahan, who had two shots Saturday. "You have to keep banging away and we're not frustrated in here, we realized what we have to do and we just have to go out there and do it."

For as much as Washington has been stingy, the Rangers are saying it's all about what they need to do. Richards mentioned how it might mean beating a defender by a step. Marian Gaborik talked about being able get more pucks to the net and creating better angles.

"We just got to figure out some way to get more pucks in the blue, try to find ways to get some shots through and there's a lot of different ways you try to do that," head coach John Tortorella said. "I thought that was the weakest part of our game, not finishing up plays. There were certain times we had chance to make plays and we didn't. They did."

As the top seed in the playoffs, the Rangers have not made it easy for themselves in the playoffs. They went seven games in the first round, and could be destined for another series that goes to the limit. The team is confident moving forward.

"All year, any time there has been a big game we've rose to the occasion. We've been there for it," defenseman Michael Del Zotto said. "You look at last series, people were counting us out and expecting an upset and we come back and won two in a row. We have the confidence here and we've been through so much as a team this year and we believe in ourselves."

Michael Del Zotto politely sidestepped questions about Chris Neil's eyebrow-raising comments following Game 6.

After the Senators 3-2 loss in Ottawa Monday, during which he was leveled by a big hit from Del Zotto in the third period, Neil seemed to issue a thinly-veiled warning to the young defenseman.

"I'm sure I'll catch him with his head down one of these times," he said.

Responding to the threat, Del Zotto feigned ignorance:

"I don't even know what he said. I'm just worried about tomorrow's game."

Neil has been an effective antagonist for the Senators all series but his play has elicited anger from the Rangers' side. Coach John Tortorella likened his questionable hit that left Brian Boyle concussed in Game 5 to Phoenix's Raffi Torres' devastating blow on Chicago's Marian Hossa that earned him a staggering 25-game suspension. Tough guy Brandon Prust also admitted his first-period fight against Neil on Monday was "maybe a little bit" motivated by retribution for Boyle.

But Prust and his Rangers teammates will settle these differences on the ice in Game 7, when the two teams square off in a do-or-die at Madison Square Garden.

"We're not really concerned about what he had to say," Prust said.

Rangers coach John Tortorella said "No comment" in a conference call Tuesday about the incident between Ottawa wing Milan Michalek and defenseman Dan Girardi during Game 6, as well as Senators wing Chris Neil's warning to defenseman Michael Del Zotto.

In the third period of the Rangers' 3-2 win, CBC footage showed Michalek appearing to kick Girardi twice in the fracas in front of the net that led to Ottawa's controversial second goal. Players have been suspended for similar actions this season.

Following the game, Neil, whose hit gave Brian Boyle a concussion in Game 5, was not pleased with Del Zotto after the Rangers defenseman hit Neil in the third period. It took Neil a few minutes to get up before he skated off on his own.

"I'm sure I'll catch him with his head down one of these times," Neil said according to reports.

18 YEARS LATER: The Rangers will be hosting a Game 7 at Madison Square Garden for the first time since defeating the Vancouver Canucks in Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Final in 1994. It's the fourth Game 7 the Rangers are hosting at the World's Most Famous Arena.

"My thought is to win it," Tortorella said. "As far as the Game 7 in Madison Square in 1994, it doesn't affect anything we do. We're going into a Game 7 with the opportunity to win the hockey game based on our game last night. That's all we're concerned about."

To even force a Game 7, the Rangers had to rebound from a disheartening Game 5 loss at home and win in Ottawa. The Rangers rallied in the second and third periods to pick up the win and bring the series back to New York City for the final game.

"Our team has responded all year long," Tortorella said. "A lot of our game throughout the series has been very good. We just have not found a way to make a big play at a key time, a big offensive play especially at a key time. Last night, in the second period, we did. This group of guys, they have just gone about their business and that's the way we'll approach Game 7."

STRAIGHT OUT OF COLLEGE: Just weeks after winning a NCAA title with Boston College, Rangers rookie Chris Kreider scored a huge goal Monday, giving the Rangers a 3-1 lead in the third. The team needed that goal as Ottawa scored a second goal with less than a minute left that could have tied the game had Kreider not scored.

"The thing that impressed me the most about him right now in just a couple of days being with him is forget what's on the ice, it's how he's handled the situation," Tortorella said. "I'm sure there's a letdown after the college season is over. Not only coming into playoffs, but also an elimination game last night. I just don't think much fazes the guy and the mental mindset part of it. That's what's really interesting. I'm very impressed in the short term with him, I'm really impressed with that."

Senators tough guy Chris Neil is already a pretty unpopular guy in the Rangers' dressing room -- his questionable hit in Game 5 left Brian Boyle with a concussion -- and he certainly did not make any new friends Monday night with comments made following the Rangers' 3-2 win in Ottawa.

The gritty winger issued a thinly-veiled threat to Rangers defenseman Michael Del Zotto, whose hit in the third left Neil down on the ice for several minutes. He skated off on his own power and returned to the game, but was not happy when asked about it after the game.

"I'm sure I'll catch him with his head down one of these times," he said, according to several reports.

Neil avoided any supplementary discipline for his hit on Boyle but may incur the wrath of the NHL's Department of Player Safety with his recent remarks.

• • • Milan Michalek may have also caught the eye of the league's disciplinary arm. CBC footage shows the winger appearing to use his skate to kick defenseman Dan Girardi twice during the goal-mouth scramble that led to Ottawa's controversial goal with less than 39 seconds remaining.

Similar incidents involving Carolina's Jeff Skinner and Anaheim's Bobby Ryan earned each player two-game suspensions.

Michael Del Zotto tried the toe drag once earlier this season during the team’s 2-0 win over Philly November 26. Suffice it to say, the coaching staff wasn’t pleased.

The 21-year-old defenseman did it again Monday in the team’s 3-0 win over the Islanders, but any complaints would’ve been hard to come by after his stellar two-assist, plus-3 performance.

“That’s an all-or-nothing play,” said Del Zotto, who donned the Broadway hat after the game. “Fortunately, it worked out.”

The move, which undressed stingy defensive center Frans Nielsen, set up the first of two goals from rookie Carl Hagelin and gave the Rangers a 1-0 lead at 5:14 of the second period.

“Michael, oh my goodness, fantastic. We all know he has that ability. We’ve seen it before, but he just made it happen. He makes big-time plays at big times in the game. He’s really turning into a stud for us. We start expecting it from him on a nightly basis and it’s fun to watch,” center Brian Boyle said. “That toe drag must’ve been six feet long. It was pretty.”

Del Zotto also picked up an assist on Hagelin’s second of the night. The Rangers built a 2-0 lead in the third after Del Zotto dished from behind the goal line to connect with Hagelin in front at 6:32 of the third.

With the assist, Del Zotto tied center Derek Stepan for the team lead with 17 assists. He leads all Rangers defensemen in scoring with four goals and 21 points.

“I’m impressed the way he’s been playing this year. It’s fun to see,” said goaltender Henrik Lundqvist, who passed on the team’s sartorial trophy to the young blue-liner despite posting a 28-save shutout himself. “He plays physical and he’s very confident and he’s been outstanding in all areas.”

And for as misleading as plus-minus ratings can be, coach John Tortorella calls Del Zotto’s plus-25, good for second in the league, a “pretty honest” indicator of his play.

“He has really applied himself in the things he needs to do to be a pro,” Tortolla. “He’s been a very important piece to our back end, especially with some of the things going on with it.”

Across the NHL community and beyond, remotes will be programmed to Wednesday night's season premiere of HBO's "24/7 Flyers/Rangers: Road to the Winter Classic," and the Rangers will be among the curious viewers tuning in at 10 p.m.

"It'll be cool to see," said Michael Del Zotto. "The last couple of games they probably got some good footage, so it will be nice to see what they do."

Del Zotto said he and fellow defenseman Steve Eminger have a "cute little date" planned to watch the first episode with the team staying at a hotel in St. Louis.

"We'll have some popcorn and cuddle together," Del Zotto joked.

Wednesday's debut will be the first of a four-episode run that chronicles the two teams in the weeks leading up to the 2012 Winter Classic game.

For the past two weeks, crews have descended to document a behind-the-scene look at each club, shooting everything from dressing room jousting, game-day preparations and on-ice antics.

"I think it's going to be fun to see because most fans don't get to see the other side of some of the players here," said Del Zotto, who predicts defenseman Dan Girardi will be the breakout star.

Although many assume Girardi is quiet or understated, his trademark dry, quick wit was captured in his deadpan delivery during the show's 12-minute teaser that ran earlier this month.

"I think he's the first star for sure," Del Zotto said, adding that fans will likely be enamored with Russian-born Artem Anisimov as well. "[Anisimov] will be the biggest surprise, but I think [Girardi] gets the Broadway hat for the HBO."

In all likelihood, coach John Tortorella will be the character most viewers are looking forward to see. The fiery coach, known for his colorful personality and sometimes profane outbursts, also has the potential to steal the show.

He hasn't exactly warmed to the cameras, however.

"It's a pain in the ass, no question. I can't stand it," Tortorella said earlier this week. "They're good guys, I just don’t want people in our locker room, but I know we have to do it. It hasn't affected how we go about our business. I just don't agree with it."

For the most part, players have found the cameras unobtrusive. Those that have been outfitted with microphones during the games have given it little thought, which makes an uncensored look into the on-ice banter even more appealing.

"I know I do a lot of swearing during the game, but I know they can edit that stuff," said Brandon Prust, who was mic'd during the game he fought Philadelphia's Zac Rinaldo four seconds into play. "And I lost the puck a few times that game, so I know I was cursing then."

Del Zotto was also mic'd against Toronto when he took a nasty spill into the end-boards to touch up an icing. Although he did not miss a shift, he was slow to get up and appeared to be in pain.

"I was thinking about it when I got hit, too," he said. "Trying to catch my breath out there and I was dying, so I'm sure that will be good footage for them."

Regardless of what makes it to air and what is scrapped on the cutting room floor, one thing is certain.

Said Tortorella:

"It’s probably going to be one hell of a show when it's all said and done."

The Rangers are rightfully concerned regarding the absence of Marc Staal, placed on the IR Wednesday, particularly since the timetable for his potential return is unclear. He’ll be eligible to play starting Oct. 12, but one look at the Sidney Crosby concussion saga should tell you that no return date is set in stone.

Staal has been the cornerstone of a Rangers defensive corps that has spent three of the last four seasons ranked among the top six in the league as far as goals allowed average. He’s constantly matched against the opposition’s top forwards and, as his plus-14 career +/- rating indicates, he’s often successful.

With Staal out of the lineup, things change. And they change drastically.

The Rangers’ defensive depth will be tested. Ryan McDonagh will likely be paired with Dan Girardi as the team’s top unit. Michael Del Zotto, who was banished to Hartford last season to work out the kinks in his defensive game, will stick in the top four with a banged-up Michael Sauer. Steve Eminger will likely be paired with rookie Tim Erixon, who was recalled from Hartford earlier this week. And it’s not yet clear how waiver claim Jeff Woywitka fits into this picture.

None of that is to say those players can’t step up in Staal’s absence. Far from it. After all, a young and largely untested blue line carried the Rangers to the playoffs last season. Still, when your do-everything D-man goes down, it leads to a lot of changes. Suddenly guys slotted for second- and third-pair minutes are skating more minutes against better competition.

Last season the Rangers usually found scoring in a different way each game. But the constant was their solid defense, with Staal leading the way. Now that constant becomes a question mark. And it will be interesting to see how the Blueshirts answer in their first two games.

The New York Rangers, who open camp Friday, made a hasty exit from the playoffs last season, losing in five games to the Washington Capitals. They hope some key offseason signings will help them become Stanley Cup contenders this year.

Main storylines

1. Spotlight on Richards: The Rangers were big winners in July when they lured coveted free agent Brad Richards to New York with a nine-year, $60 million deal. The addition of Richards gives them the dynamic first-line center they lacked last season -- someone who can be counted on to produce offensively and distribute the puck.

2. More from Gaborik: The team also hopes Richards can coax the most out of sniper Marian Gaborik, who is expected to flank him on the right wing. After a career season in 2009-10 -- 42 goals and 86 points -- the 29-year-old winger scored only 22 goals last season and was incredibly streaky. Ten of his goals were scored in three games, all against non-playoff teams. If the Rangers want to do damage in the playoffs, they need him to score -- when it counts.

3. Third defensive pairing: Defense was a strength for the Rangers last season, and given the youth on the back end, it will be for years to come. Top-pair defensemen Marc Staal and Dan Girardi were counted on to match up against opponents' top lines all year, and they had a tandem of solid young blue-liners behind them in Ryan McDonagh and Michael Sauer. Young defensemen Tim Erixon, Michael Del Zotto and 27-year-old Steve Eminger will battle for the fifth and sixth spots. Brendan Bell could also garner a look, although he will likely be used as a call-up guy from Hartford.

New additions

• C Brad Richards: The 31-year-old veteran will feel the burden of the monster contract he signed and the expectation that goes with it, but he's a proven scoring threat with a Stanley Cup championship on his résumé.

• LW Mike Rupp: the 6-5, 230 pound bruiser, who racked up 124 penalty minutes with Pittsburgh last season, will add size and toughness to the Rangers' fourth line. The 31-year-old former Devil will also be a high-character veteran presence in the room.

• D Tim Erixon: The Rangers traded for the 20-year-old Swedish defenseman in June in what might soon be regarded as a steal. As the son of former NHL'er Jan Erixon, Tim has a strong hockey IQ and the potential to be effective on the power play.

Wild card

Ryan Bourque, son of NHL legend Ray Bourque, is likely to start the season with the team's AHL affiliate in Hartford, but the 20-year-old forward stood out among his peers and impressed many during a recent prospect tournament in Traverse City, Mich.

Bottom line

By developing a strong group of young players and adding key free agents to complement that core, the Rangers have the talent and skill to be dangerous in the future. What remains to be seen is whether they can make the next stop now.

In a move to keep a veteran in their defense, the Rangers have re-signed defenseman Steve Eminger, the team announced Monday.

Eminger, 27, came to New York on July 9, 2010 in a trade with Anaheim. Last season, Eminger scored two goals and four assists in 65 games, but had stretches toward the end of the season where he did not dress for games. Eminger did not dress for the season finale and did not play in the playoffs for the Blueshirts.

Eminger will play on the Rangers' third defensive line next year, but will have some competition from some youngsters. Third-year player Michael Del Zotto and touted prospect Tim Erixon both could be playing with the Rangers next season, which could mean Eminger could be in and out of the lineup as he was last season.

Eminger has played in 411 career games since joining the NHL in 2002-03 with Washington. He has scored 17 goals and 74 assists while accumulating 323 penalty minutes in his career. He has also played with Philadelphia, Tampa Bay, Florida and Anaheim in his career. Eminger is a native of Woodbridge, Ontario.

With the Rangers defense likely set, the Rangers will now turn their attention back to their offense as forward Ryan Callahan is scheduled to have his arbitration hearing Thursday.

Following the news of the death of Rangers forward Derek Boogaard in his Minneapolis apartment on Friday, many of his former Rangers teammates have expressed their sadness and shock over the loss of one of the league’s toughest enforcers.

"On behalf of all Derek's teammates, I would like to say that he was a great friend and a great teammate and that we are all going miss him dearly,” Rangers captain Chris Drury said in a released statement. “This is a tragic loss for the hockey community. All of our thoughts and prayers are with him and his family.”

Boogaard, who served a role as an enforcer, joined the Rangers for the 2010-11 season after signing with the team on July 1, 2010. He didn’t have much of an effect with the Rangers, scoring just one goal and adding one assist in 22 games. His season was cut short on Dec. 9 after he suffered a concussion against Ottawa.

Rangers forward Brandon Prust said on twitter that he roomed with Boogaard and tweeted just after midnight that Boogaard was a great friend and a teammate and was a loss for words following the 28-year-old’s death.

“I am still in shock. It keeps hitting me off and on all day as I'm driving home. Though he was a fighter on the ice, he was definitely a gentle giant off the ice,” Prust said in a released statement. “He was just a real good guy, a team guy all the way. I've been looking at some of the silly pictures I have from when we were roommates and it just hits me what a good guy he was. I still can't believe I am referring to him in the past tense."

Rangers Right Wing Marian Gaborik, who played with Boogaard for four season in Minnesota and one year in New York, said in the statement that he was very close with Boogaard and the two helped each other out both on and off the ice. He said that Boogaard was one of the best enforcers in the league and any team would have been pleased to have him.

“He was a year younger than me, and you could see that he improved so much,” Gaborik said in a released statement. “But he was always such a calm guy, got along with everybody. We had a lot of good times together. He was a really easy going guy, really caring. We talked pretty much about everything. He’s just the type of guy who would be there for you when you needed him.

He also added in the statement: “We spoke before the World Championships. We were in touch a lot. He was focusing on coming back, training each day. He was really looking forward to coming back in great shape and prove that he’s the best at what he does. He was really looking forward to that. He was always so positive and optimistic”

Several other Rangers showed support for Boogaard's family on twitter. Rangers defenseman Michael Del Zotto tweeted “Boogy, you will be missed! Condolences to the Boogard family. The world lost an amazing friend and teammate!”

Backup goalie Martin Biron, who did not want to comment out of respect for Boogaard and his family when called Saturday morning, said on his twitter account: “Extremely sadden by the loss of a great teammate, Derek Boogaard, we’ll miss you. Praying for his family and friends.”

Rangers defenseman Michael Del Zotto had a successful surgery on Tuesday to repair a sports hernia, the Rangers announced. Del Zotto is expected to be ready for the start of training camp, according to the release.

The Rangers first-round pick in the 2008 Draft, Del Zotto scored just two goals and added nine assists in 47 games before spending the end of the season with AHL affiliate Connecticut. Del Zotto had a great rookie season, but slipped this past year in his sophomore campaign.

Here are some other tidbits/news following the Rangers 3-1 loss to the Wild.

***After saying that Marian Gaborik (concussion) will not play Friday against Ottawa and is still dealing with symptoms, Rangers coach John Tortorella said Gaborik will make the trip with the team to Ottawa.

***Defenseman Ryan McDonagh is day-to-day after "wrenching his knee" according to Tortorella. The teams wants to see how the swelling is and does not believe the injury is anything structurally related.

Said Tortorella: "We'll have to see how he feels tomorrow."

***It was announced during the broadcast that defenseman Michael Del Zotto, who is currently with AHL Connecticut, is out four to six weeks after fracturing his finger with Connecticut on Wednesday.

***Defenseman Marc Staal played his first game after missing the previous three after suffering a knee strain on Feb. 22.

"Other than not having enough stamina as you usually have on the shift, i felt strong enough to get through the game obviously," Staal said. "I will keep treating it."

The Rangers host the Wild tonight at the Garden as they look to snap a two-game losing streak and finish off this three-game homestand with at least one win. Here are some things to key on during this game.

GETTING HEALTHY: Left Wing Ruslan Fedotenko will play tonight after missing the last two games with a shoulder injury, while All-Star defenseman Marc Staal will probably make his return tonight after missing the last three game with a knee strain, according to Rangers head coach John Tortorella. Tortorella said the team wants to make sure that Staal is ready to go tonight and they will assess his status after warmup.

“I just want to make sure he feels good about it,” Tortorella said. “As these games dwindle, I’ve said we want to get guys in right away, we certainly don’t want him out an extended period of time by forcing him in that situation where we lost him completely and that’s what we worry about.”

JUMP ON IT: Tortorella would like to see his team get off to a faster start tonight than it has in its past few games. In each of its last two home losses, the Rangers have trailed after the first period, getting outscored a combined 3-0. The Blue Shirts have also not held a lead during this losing streak.

“We’re trying to stay away from that desperation mode of always trying to come back and I believe we will,” Tortorella said. “We will get this straightened out and we have to find a way to get this going right away. First half of the year we did. Second half of the year it’s been a little inconsistent, not all the game,s but certainly more inconsistent.”

DON’T LOOK OVER YOUR SHOULDER: The battle for the final playoff spots in the Eastern Conference is getting tighter with each day. The Rangers are just one point ahead of eighth-place Carolina and three points ahead of ninth-place Buffalo. Carolina has also played one less game than the Rangers, while Buffalo has played two less games. With the Sabres and Hurricanes battling tonight, one of those teams will creep closer to the Rangers. The Rangers need to start picking up points fast or they could become the chasers instead of the hunted soon. The Blue Shirts are just 4-9-1 in their last 14 games.

“If you think we’re playing bad hockey, we’re not,” Tortorella said. “We’re not playing well enough to win and that’s what we’ve been at for quite some while there. I don’t think we’ve played terribly at all but we just haven’t been able to change the momentum in a game or get a big play or a big save or whatever it might be to win a hockey game consistently and that’s our heel. That’s what we are trying to get over.”

OTHER NOTES: Injured right win Marian Gaborik will not play tonight or tomorrow against Ottawa as he battles concussion symptoms….Tortorella did not have a timetable on Michael Del Zotto, who broke his finger in an AHL game Wednesday. He will be seeing a specialist....Henrik Lundqvist will be in goal.