Dubinsky misses second straight game

TORONTO -- Is Brandon Dubinsky's sore right shoulder more banged up than first expected?

Dubinsky was scratched for the second straight game Saturday night in the aftermath of a check along the boards by Taylor Pyatt in the first period of the Rangers' 3-2 win over Phoenix at the Garden on Tuesday.

X-rays were clear, Dubinsky said, and he returned to play a total of 20:09. In his postgame remarks, coach John Tortorella said Dubinsky was "fine."

But Dubinsky, who had four goals in eight games and was returning to his power-forward style after an inconsistent start to the season, hasn't practiced or skated since. "We just want to be careful," Tortorella said. "Shoulders are funny things."

With only an optional skate scheduled for Saturday morning in Montreal, it is unclear whether Dubinsky will be cleared to play against the Canadiens without a full practice under his belt.

Not guilty of spittingBoth Sean Avery and a Rangers spokesman Saturday denied a Deadspin.com report that the forward spit on Whale coach Ken Gernander before Friday's 3-1 AHL loss in Norfolk.

Avery, who was re-assigned on Dec. 31 after clearing waivers, did not dress for that game for disciplinary reasons.

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"No, he absolutely did not do that," the spokesman said. And Avery posted this on his Twitter account Saturday afternoon: "Try not to BELIEVE everything u read. Gentlemen don't spit."

Avery, who returned to the Whale lineup Saturday night, had one goal and 13 penalty minutes in four games. It is believed that the Rangers eventually will place him on re-entry waivers, perhaps closer to the Feb. 27 trade deadline.