Marc Staal is assisted off the ice after being hit...

Marc Staal is assisted off the ice after being hit by a puck in the third period of a game against the Philadelphia Flyers at Madison Square Garden. (March 5, 2013) Credit: Kathleen Malone-Van Dyke

John Tortorella's benching of Brad Richards was the lineup shuffle that garnered all the attention, but three other players were added to the mix, with varying results.

Arron Asham, who had two goals against the Capitals, also was a healthy scratch -- Tortorella said he had slowed a little -- and fourth-liners Micheal Haley, who skated in his first career playoff game, and long-time AHL center Kris Newbury dressed.

Defenseman Roman Hamrlik, 39, who had not played in 23 games, filled in for the injured Anton Stralman. Hamrlik began the game on an inauspicious note, clearing the puck over the glass at 1:43 to give the Bruins an early power play, but the Rangers killed it. He played 10:55 and recorded his first point as a Ranger when he was awarded an assist on Carl Hagelin's goal.

In the second period, Newbury, who had four hits in 8:03, mindlessly plowed into Tuukka Rask at 3:09, and Nathan Horton scored off Henrik Lundqvist's left leg from the left circle at 4:39. Haley played 7:56 and had two hits. He was on the fourth line with Newbury and Derek Dorsett, who had three hits.

"I thought they gave us some good shifts," Tortorella said. [Newbury] can't take that penalty. That's the fine line they have to walk, but for the most part, they did a good job. I don't want him to be an angel."

Entering last nightThursday night, the Rangers had been outshot by playoff opponents 341-301, including 106-81 in third periods . . . Cam Talbot, Hartford's No. 1 goaltender, has been getting a lot of work at optional skates, subbing for Lundqvist. But veteran Martin Biron has another year on his contract.

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