Prust fighting through injuries
New York Rangers left wing Brandon Prust (8) is challenged for possession of the puck by Los Angeles Kings center Trevor Lewis (22) during the first period at Madison Square Garden. (Feb. 17, 2011) Credit: Christopher Pasatieri
Memo to Brandon Prust: Don't drop the gloves at every provocation - especially for staged fights.
"This is a guy that takes on all comers," coach John Tortorella said. "That's my fault in a couple situations. I wanted to punch him in the side of the head after the fight with [Atlanta's Eric] Boulton, and I told him that. He's too important a guy for us when he's playing well. I think fighting is for a reason. The staged part of it I think is nonsense, and I don't want our team doing it. Especially Pruster, who kills penalties, who grinds for us and does a lot of good things for us. He'll know, I think he should and he does, but he's just that type of guy. He'll fight anybody. But I think he needs to know when he needs to fight, so I need to take some responsibility there."
Additionally, Prust (8-12-20 in 58 games) has aggravated hand and shoulder injuries. "I've tried to cut down a little bit of his ice time,'' Tortorella said. "From the fighting, his thumb, his shoulder, I don't think he's completely healthy. I think he'll be back and be a big part of it."
Fedotenko practices
Ruslan Fedotenko (separated left shoulder, appendectomy) skated in a Rangers track suit with teammates for the first time since Jan. 19. It was a harder practice workout than his first spin on Wednesday, he said, and he still is experiencing some abdominal soreness. He likely is out until early March, after the Feb. 28 trade deadline . . . C Kris Newbury, called up from the AHL Wednesday, was a healthy scratch . . . The Rangers-Flyers game at MSG on Sunday, March 6, has been moved to 12:30 p.m. for NBC's game of the week.
