December 9, 2011, Tampa Bay Lightning-New York Rangers notebook for Metro Newspaper in NYC
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John Tortorella reiterated in his Thursday afternoon pre-game press conference that Anton Stralman would play in place of Michael Sauer.
Last night marked Stralman’s first game action since finishing plus-one in 10:26 of ice time in the Rangers’ 2-1 loss to Florida on Nov. 23. The Rangers signed the defenseman to a one-year, $900,000 contract on Nov. 5.
The Rangers announced Wednesday that Sauer suffered a concussion after his head slammed off the half boards after absorbing a thunderous check from Maple Leafs defenseman Dion Phaneuf in the waning moments of Tuesday’s 4-2 loss to Toronto.
Sauer is the second Rangers defenseman to miss time this season due to concussion symptoms. Marc Staal has not played a game this season after experiencing symptoms during the summer and at the start of training camp.
Tortorella said Steve Eminger was moved to the second unit alongside Michael Del Zotto, while Stralman skated with Jeff Woywitka. The top pair of Dan Girardi and Ryan McDonagh stayed intact.
Stralman had a shot blocked and threw two hits in 10:28 of ice time, including 2:27 of power play time.
Fighting injuries
Tortorella praised his team’s focus in the face of the injuries suffered by teammates.
“I think our guys — in the past two years — I think our guys have handled those situations very well,” Tortorella said.
When asked if he could explain why his team was able to successfully adapt without key components, Tortorella said, “I don’t have an answer. I just think their thinking is ‘let’s move on.’ We can’t worry about what’s happened as far as injuries. All teams have them. I think the teams that end up going about their business and not over-thinking this stuff, handle situations better. I think that’s the approach we have with our club.”
Remembering the Lightning
Maybe Brad Richards enjoys beating the Tampa Bay Lightning. But to his coach, while there are memories of his time there, it isn’t the same.
“I’m not going to say playing against this organization is the same as others because I spent seven years with them,” Tortorella said about the Lightning. He went 234-222-26-78 in 535 regular season games between the 2000-01 and 2007-08 seasons. The Lightning reached the playoffs four times during his seven-year stretch and compiled a 24-21 in 45 games, including winning the Stanley Cup in 2003-04.
“But a lot of that has changed,” Tortorella added. “The players have changed, the ownership has changed. I don’t get too wrapped up in that. It’s not about the coach. It’s about a team playing another team and trying to find a way to win a hockey game.”
Streak broken
Lightning right wing Martin St. Louis’s consecutive games played streak ended at 499 after he was scratched due to injury. St. Louis was hit with an errant puck near his left eye during Tampa Bay’s early skate at the Garden.
In a statement released before the game, the Lightning said that St. Louis was out “indefinitely” with “facial and nasal fractures,” and he “would return to Tampa Bay immediately and will undergo further medical examination by Lightning team physicians when swelling subsides in and around his left eye. A more detailed determination on his return to the lineup will be made at that time.”
St. Louis was third on the Lightning with nine goals and 13 assists. His 22 points were second-most.
The Lightning called up center Blair Jones from AHL Norfolk in the early afternoon.
Messier returns ... sorta
Mark Messier announced during the first intermission that he will play for the Rangers during the alumni game against the Flyers as part of the Winter Classic festivities.
Follow Denis Gorman on Twitter @DenisGorman.
http://www.metro.us/newyork/sports/article/1046002--rangers-notebook-sauer-still-out-messier-to-play
posted by Denis P. Gorman at 12:38 AM
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