After last night's 6-4 escape in Philly, Sean Avery and several Rangers watched Toronto beat the Pens in overtime on the visitors' dressing room TV.
Tonight, they'll see those Leafs face-to-face at MSG in a game where two points would vault the Rangers into sixth place and virtually assure a playoff spot with 91 points and three games to play. A loss drops them back in the four-team mix, making the Islanders game Tuesday even more critical.
An OT or shootout loss wouldn't be fatal for the Leafs, who would take the point because they play the Flyers and Islanders next.
Come back here for pre-game news from the Garden. I expect a rough, emotional, tight game in which Lundqvist will have to outplay Raycroft. Think Jed Ortmeyer will return, although who sits is a question. Isbister would be helpful against the big, physical Leafs.
I wasn't the only one surprised that the Flyers didn't jump on Colton Orr early and often. Before the game, one of the Flyers beat writers was jokingly talking about an over-under pool on how long before the fists would fly.
Flyers were still cheap-shoting around, though.
Writers are reserving rooms in Pittsburgh, Buffalo and Atlanta for the opening round. Two of them---hopefully not all three---will be cancelled. As much as I'd like to be in Tampa, it's doubtful that they'll overtake the Thrashers.
More later folks...
Comments (3)
Any word if Tyutin will be injected into the lineup tonight?
I say sit Hollweg, play ortmeyer, and keep hands of stone(Isbister) on the Jagr line.
Hollweg had a nice goal last night showed good hands for the Flyers..
Hollweg can skate, why does he seem so panicked in his own zone when he has the puck??
I wondered why no one booked a hotel room in case we face Jersey. Then realized it's 45 minutes away (or 3 hours depending on traffic).