Brandon Dubinsky returns to Rangers lineup
Ryan Callahan, center, is congratulated by Artem Anisimov, left, of Russia, and Brandon Dubinsky after scoring a goal against the New Jersey Devils during the second period of Game 5 of the Eastern Conference finals. (May 23, 2012) Credit: AP
Brandon Dubinsky played Wednesday night for the first time since Game 7 of the opening- round series against the Senators. He had plenty of energy, coming back to play his first game in nearly a month after an ankle injury he suffered in that series-clinching win.
John Tortorella hinted at the lineup change Wednesday morning, while his team took its morning skate at the Garden.
Dubinsky, who had skated Friday for the first time since he was injured and then worked his way up to a full, brief practice on Tuesday, took his spin Wednesday and exited the ice with the rest of the regulars. John Mitchell, who had played the first 18 postseason games, stayed on with the extras for more work, dropping a further hint that Dubinsky would be ready.
"We'll try different things, I'll give you that," Tortorella said without giving away any lineup specifics. "We need something to happen for ourselves . . . It's still just a matter of getting it done. So we'll see where it goes."
Where it went for Dubinsky was getting his first shift with some familiar linemates, in Ryan Callahan and Artem Anisimov.
That trio had some very strong games during the 2010-11 season, so Tortorella decided to go back to it to try and not only get Dubinsky going -- he had only one assist in the opening round to follow his 10-goal, 34-point regular season, both career lows -- but also get his struggling group of forwards going.
Dubinsky and Callahan threw their weight around, totaling eight hits in the opening period, but there weren't many scoring chances. Dubinsky had the best when he tipped a slow-moving shot just outside the far post at 12:35 of the first.
There had been some thought to Dubinsky returning for Monday's Game 4, when the Rangers needed someone to step in at forward in place of the suspended Brandon Prust, but Dubinsky shut that down after the team's morning skate.
"This team doesn't do percentages," he said then. "It's either a yes or a no and tonight's a no."
It was a yes Wednesday, even though Dubinsky's return had little impact on the Devils' quick start.
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