Blue Notes

Rolling cables slick with beer
to hang up on the broken stands
the houselights lit our injuries
for crowds with plastic cups that clapped
beneath our tender sleepy brooms
and boom boom boom boom
went absent cases down the stairs
into the parking lot out back
a burst of moon
a blast of air
an understanding somewhere

---The Weakerthans
Reunion Tour

Yes, minus the rolling cables and burst of moon, Markus Naslund's reunion with the former squad he captained for eight years is on tap tonight at the Garden.

Asked if Naslund or other players in that situation have it on their mind, Rangers coach Tom Renney said:

"Probably. It’s human nature. The Vancouver Canucks were very good to Markus Naslund and I know he was to them, so you can’t help but have some type of feeling there, there’s got to be some type of connection. But he’s certainly a professional, he’s every bit the Ranger, and he’ll want, probably more than anything else, to have his team to have a good night."

"He seems like the Markus I remember from way back when; just loves playing, likes his teammates. His leadership is outstanding. Just by the way he handles himself, carries himself....I would have to say this whole experience hasn’t been cumbersome at all; he always looks fresh and ready to go every time I see him...I thought he came in here in great shape, some nights the results are there and some nights they're not. The bottom line is that most nights, the results are there as a team, and Markus Naslund had had a lot to do with that."

Naslund, with six goals and eight assists, appears fairly comfortable, and said today he appreciates the East, with less travel.

“I envisioned myself retiring as a Canuck, but things happen,” Naslund said. “More and more as I was uncertain about the future at the end of last year, it was more likely that I was not going to be there. But this situation presented itself and it was an easy choice....It’s a big difference...It’s been relaxing in many ways. Coming to the rink is the same. You’ve got a full house that’s going to be loud and excited. That’s no different. But outside of hockey you don’t get recognized as much, which is kind of nice.”

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Henrik Lundqvist on facing Vancouver and Roberto Luongo: "My game doesn’t really change. We’re a low scoring team. Every mistake I make can cost us the game... I like that; I like the challenge, we don’t really go after a big show, we go after the two points....They’re a good defensive team... I know he’s really good, I saw him more on the national team, he uses his size really well."

On the style differences between him and Luongo: "I think he’s more of a block guy. I’m not as big, I try to react more. Benny’s (Rangers goaltending coach Benoit Allaire) brother (Francois, also a coach) is more of a block guy, Benny teaches more of a react style. If I were as big as Luongo, I’d probably play more block, I'd have to adjust, but I use my speed more. He doesn’t have to react as much (with his size.)

Why are some good goalies better or worse at shootouts? "Depends on the kind of goalie you are," Lundqvist said. "Breakaways is more reacting than blocking---and patience. If you’re just blocking, it’s tough on breakaways. A lot of Canadian goalies are really good on (blocking) shots, they face a lot when they’re younger. I think European goalies are more side to side goalies, at least that was the case years ago."

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I'll be in Ottawa for the Saturday game, but I've got a feeling Scott Gomez won't. He didn't skate today, which means the Rangers are being extremely careful ---and concerned---about the ankle, which may be worse than a deep bone bruise. Renney said the center would "have to get in a couple (practices)" and there may only be one full practice before Saturday. "He's in very good shape," said Renney. "The beauty of it is, when Scotty Gomez comes back, you can’t make a trade better than that, so when he comes back healthy and ready to go, we’re gonna be a better team."

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Nik Zherdev was uncomfortable going for his second-star turn after being briefly benched, so he didn't make a post-game appearance Monday, a team spokesman said. He dressed quickly and I didn't get a chance to speak with him after practice. Renney said he spoke to both Zherdev and Voros briefly and told them to stay positive. I have some comments from Voros in the Wednesday paper.

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On a personal note, thanks again to all those fans and loyal Blue Noters who appeared at Cosby's last evening to schmooze and buy an autographed copy of "The Good, The Bad and the Ugly"---and to those buying it elsewhere. We're planning another event next month, perhaps at Tir Na Nog on Eighth Avenue: Buy a book and get a pint.

Til tomorrah, ladies and gents...