Brian Boyle benched for first time since 2009 season

For the first time since the 2009 season, Brian Boyle was a healthy scratch. John Tortorella said he wanted the 6-7 forward "to be miserable" watching the game "and I hope that he never puts me in this type of situation again." Boyle, (one assist, minus-3 in nine games) "hasn't done a good job killing penalties; I don't think he's done a good enough job blocking shots,'' Tortorella said. "But I know he's a better player . . . He'll get an opportunity."

Third- and fourth-line players are easy targets for benchings, Tortorella said, and noted that in the 3-1 loss to the Devils, Chris Kreider and J.T. Miller played "really well and you put them in the lineup and it kind of jams things up."

Boyle conceded that his play has been lacking. "Everybody makes mistakes,'' he said, "but I'm not contributing enough or playing to where I can play to. It's not for a lack of effort, but there's no moral victories when you're 4-5. I need to have a lot more of an impact." He added that Tortorella has "talked to me, coached me in different strategies and ways to try and get me going, and this is just another way to do it. Whether it's a focus thing or an edge or a combination of a few things, I just need to be harder and have more of an attitude and get back to playing a little bit more desperate."

Girardi sits again

Defenseman Dan Girardi missed his second game with an undisclosed injury. The team called him "banged up." He participated in the morning skate but left before the line rushes. Steve Eminger stepped in on the blue line . . . Defenseman Stu Bickel was the other healthy scratch . . . The Rangers play four of the next five at home.