Rangers' Gaborik sidelined
New York Rangers congratulate teammate Marian Gaborik, center, after an NHL hockey game. (Jan. 19, 2011) Credit: AP
RALEIGH - Marian Gaborik, who left Sunday's loss to Philadelphia after the first period with concussion symptoms, saw a doctor late Tuesday and will not join the team on this trip, which concludes in Washington on Friday.
The star right wing had complained of not feeling well and both he and the team believed he had the flu, coach John Tortorella said. "Against L.A. [Thursday] and Jersey [Friday], there were no problems. In our last game against Philly, I brought him in to show him clips of the first period, to do some teaching, and he said he was having problems concentrating. I said, 'You've got to go see Rammer [trainer Jim Ramsay.]' My policy is Rammer makes the call in those situations. I don't want percentages, I want a 'yes' or 'no' and Rammer told me 'No.'
Some hits that might have rattled Gaborik: two from Pittsburgh defenseman Brooks Orpik in the 5-3 win on Feb. 13 and one from Pens' Tim Wallace, but there is no certainty when Gaborik was concussed. In some cases, the symptoms are dormant for days.
Prust plays hurt
Brandon Prust, playing through shoulder and hand injuries, had just one shift in the third period against the Flyers and just four shots in the last eight games. "I don't think he's been on his game . . . it's dipped a little bit," Tortorella said. "He knows it's been - to get involved in his type of game, to hit - a bit of a struggle for him. He'll get his opportunity to reclaim that. He stepped up in a big-time manner for us scoring some big goals [before the All-Star break]."
Blue notes
Although Ruslan Fedotenko (separated left shoulder on Jan. 19; appendectomy, Feb. 2) practiced and Tortorella said he looked good, the winger needs more conditioning. Don't expect him to play before Sunday against Tampa Bay . . . D Steve Eminger is a healthy scratch again.
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