Drury's cranky knee forces him to stay home
The Rangers' Chris Drury skates by as Montreal's Tomas Plekanec (14) celebrates celebrates an empty net goal. (Mar. 16, 2010) Credit: Getty Images
MONTREAL - So much for the chatter about extra depth at forward with Ryan Callahan, Brandon Dubinsky and Vinny Prospal returning. When the Rangers take the ice Saturday afternoon at Bell Centre in a bid to snap a three-game losing streak, captain Chris Drury again will be missing.
The 34-year-old forward's left knee - which had been "cranky" for a few weeks, according to coach John Tortorella - was swollen after the Devils game Thursday night, and Drury was being examined before the Rangers flew here Friday afternoon. Center Erik Christensen, who has missed 16 games with a sprained knee, will return Saturday against the Canadiens.
It has been a troubling and non-productive season for Drury, who played just 8:34 in the 3-2 loss to New Jersey. He missed 31 games with a twice-broken left index finger and has been relegated to fourth-line status, penalty-killing and faceoff specialist duties. The three-time U.S. Olympian, who has one season remaining on a five-year, $35.25-million deal signed in July 2007, has played in 23 games, with no goals and four assists.
"He's had a cranky left knee and it's progressively gotten worse," Tortorella said. "It's gone on a few weeks and flared up last night. He's played this game hard for a long time and I think it's a little bit of wear and tear."
Christensen, 27, who has been practicing with the team this week, skated on a line with Sean Avery and Mats Zuccarello. He told reporters Monday that he probably was a week away from returning. Christensen (6-8-14 in 37 games) was injured Dec. 29 against the Devils and was expected to miss four to six weeks. "I think he'll fit right in," Tortorella said. "He's excited to play."
With the minimum 12 forwards, it is possible that Kris Newbury, who appeared in eight games this season, will be summoned from the AHL for Monday's game in Detroit.
Notes & quotes: Tortorella did not name his starting goaltender, but all indications are that backup Martin Biron will face the Canadiens . . . D Michael Del Zotto stepped in for Steve Eminger the last two games but it was unclear who will dress Saturday.
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