Prospal's knee concerns Rangers

Rookie Derek Stepan and Erik Christensen scored in the shootout as the Rangers edged the Ottawa Senators, 5-4, Friday night at the Garden to raise their preseason record to 4-1, but the loss of Vinny Prospal for several weeks to a right knee problem overshadowed the win.

"We're going to keep him off the ice for a couple weeks," coach John Tortorella said, "then put him on the ice and see how it reacts. He's frustrated. It's not so much the pain; we're just going to try and rest him." He said the damage isn't structural.

Prospal, 34, was the Rangers' second-leading scorer last season, with 20 goals and 58 points. He was scheduled to center the No. 1 line for the first time, but his knee, the one on which he had arthroscopic surgery Dec. 29, flared up after Wednesday's practice and he was sent for an exam. Tortorella spoke to the doctors after the game; Prospal was not available for interviews.

"It's a concern because it's been lingering," Tortorella said. "In a perfect world, you want guys to get some time [in preseason]. I'm not worried about his condition, anything about him, attitude-wise. You'd just like to get some game action. That's important. I worry about all that. You don't play any exhibition games and it keeps on coming back, sure, it's a concern."

Should Prospal be unable to begin the season, it will make management's decision about the forwards easier. There would be 14 healthy forwards, leaving Todd White and his $2.375-million salary as the casualty if they decide to keep just 13.

White, who has been rehabbing after offseason shoulder surgery, was acquired in the deal that shipped out Donald Brashear and Patrick Rissmiller. "He's one of those guys on the bubble," Tortorella said. "By no means am I saying he's out of here; he'll play [Saturday]."

There still are nine defensemen in camp, but Michal Rozsival (groin) did not dress and is doubtful for Saturday. "If there's any question it's lingering . . . I guess he probably won't play," Tortorella said.

Prospects Michael Sauer and Pavel Valentenko will dress in Ottawa, their last chance to impress and be among the final seven.

Notes & quotes: Henrik Lundqvist stopped Jason Spezza and Peter Regin in the shootout . . . Derek Boogaard, who hasn't scored in 222 regular-season games, tied the score at 3 in the third period . . . Erik Christensen, who was scheduled to sit, jumped in for Prospal, but Stepan, who also scored his second goal of the season (a shorthander in the second period) was between Marian Gaborik and Alex Frolov in the third.