Torts taking a look at Stralman for playoffs

ST. PAUL, Minn. -- After five games as a healthy scratch, Anton Stralman was back in the lineup Tuesday night as Rangers coach John Tortorella continues to evaluate his defense pairings for the playoffs. Stralman, who has two goals and 14 assists in 46 games since being signed as a free agent Nov. 5, was partnered with Michael Del Zotto.

"He has the ability to help us offensively, he has the ability to really improve defensively," Tortorella said. "Since the first time I met him, he's been a much better player. We just need to see it consistently, especially competing."

Another defenseman, Steve Eminger, who sprained his right ankle against the Penguins on March 15, skated lightly for the second consecutive day and hopes he'll be ready for the playoffs.

Christensen adapts

Erik Christensen, who was traded to the Wild on Feb. 3, is settling in. "It was tough at first," said Christensen, who was pointless in his first 15 games. "I wanted to come in and try to make an impact. I was trying to almost do too much. Once I started to figure it out . . . I got hot there for a couple games."

Christensen, who scored four goals in four games through March 19, said he wasn't "overly disappointed [with the trade] because I wasn't playing. The team was having success, but I really had no part of it. I was worried that my career basically was going to end."

The skilled center led the WHL in scoring in 2002-03 with 54 goals and 108 points in 67 games but produced nothing close to those numbers in stints with four NHL teams, including 2 1/2 seasons with the Rangers. "I want to come back to the NHL next year," said Christensen, 28, an unrestricted free agent. "I'm trying to make it happen."

SEE PHOTOSTop 10 Rangers playoff moments