Anisimov says he lost consciousness

Artem Anisimov, who saw limited action on Saturday after a second-period hit along the boards by Ottawa’s Zenon Konopka, told reporters yesterday morning that he lost consciousness “for a couple seconds” as he lay motionless on the ice. But a team spokesperson said last night that the Russian center misunderstood the question and did not lose consciousness.

Anisimov, who scored a goal at 16:42 of the second period last night, said after an optional practice that Konopka hit him in the lower back, and that his visor protected him when his face struck the glass. After getting to his feet, he skated to the bench, and had an ice pack on the back of his neck. When someone noted that he returned to action minutes later, he said: “I wanted to score a goal on the power play.” He had just three assists in nine games before last night.

The 23-year-old Anisimov said he didn’t think he suffered a concussion because “I didn’t want to puke.” He did, however, have a little headache Sunday, and skipped practice, but had no symptoms yesterday.

Del Zotto leads Rangers with plus-5

Defenseman Michael Del Zotto, who did not skate in the optional to rest a sore hip, dressed. He leads all Rangers with a plus-5. “Michael has been much more aggressive defensively,” coach John Tortorella said. “Stick on puck and with time and space. He sprung Gabby for a break and made a couple great plays the other night.”

Blue lines

Henrik Lundqvist was the backup for the second time this season . . . The Rangers had no spare forwards or defensemen for the first time this season, so no scratches. “We’re down to the minimum,” Tortorella said . . . A team spokesperson said “nothing” when asked if there was any news about defenseman Marc Staal, who has not played this season and is being treated for concussion-related headaches.

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