Callahan doesn't play third after collision with Chara

BOSTON - As if the Rangers' offensive woes weren't severe enough, they might be without their second-leading goal-scorer for a while.

Ryan Callahan, who has 19 goals, did not play in the third period after a collision with Zdeno Chara on an icing at the end boards late in the second period.

Callahan skated off gingerly and trainers appeared to be looking at his leg on the bench after the play. He was not available after the game and coach John Tortorella said he had not spoken to the medical staff about his condition.

Sean Avery also was limping badly in the corridor after the game, and said he had been hit by a shot in the second period. But Avery also took plenty of hits from the Bruins.

Prospal apologizes for hit

Mark Stuart, who was sent face-first into the boards from behind by Vinny Prospal in the first period, said Prospal apologized. "He said he turned at the last second and didn't mean to do it," Stuart said. "I turned to protect the puck and he hit me. Sometimes it's hard in that situation when a guy turns really quick to hold back. I just got a little shiner."

Blue chips

Henrik Lundqvist has been sensational against Boston in his career, with a 1.36 goals- against average before yesterday's defeat, only his fourth regulation loss in 19 games. His save on Dan Paille's penalty shot was his fifth stop in eight career attempts . . . Avery, Erik Christensen, Artem Ansimov and Brandon Prust had zero shots . . . When the Rangers' charter airplane had mechanical problems in White Plains, the team's traveling party divided up between two smaller planes and two helicopters to fly to Boston. Among the players on the choppers: Lundqvist, Anisimov, Matt Gilroy and Enver Lisin. Coaches were on the other.