Rangers plan to change how they travel

The Rangers are implementing some changes on how they travel to games.

"We've had a lot of discussions on how we're going to try to change a few things," said coach John Tortorella, who ruled out game-day skates at Madison Square Garden. "I think we take too good care of them sometimes . . . We're changing our travel into the Island and Jersey, where it's not going to be 10 freakin' limos flying in from all over the place and coming in for a morning skate. We're leaving the night before the game, on a bus, and going as a team to New Jersey and to the Island from now on.

"There are so many things that come into play with people spread out all over the city and Westchester that I'm just beginning to understand and trying to get a better handle on it to be more team-conducive."

Zaba might make start

Goaltender Matt Zaba, who backed up Henrik Lundqvist in yesterday's 2-1 overtime loss to the Hurricanes - rookie goalie Chad Johnson was sent to Hartford to get a game in - might see some NHL ice time. Zaba, 26, was 25-10 with a 2.33 GAA with the Wolf Pack last season. Johnson, 23, made 17 saves in his NHL debut in relief of Lundqvist in Wednesday's 6-0 loss to the Flyers.

"We've gotta make sure we don't lose our development," Tortorella said. "There's gonna be a lot of miles going back and forth with those two guys. We've gone through a whole mapping of the schedule to make sure they both get some games here as we go."

Snap shots

Lundqvist was flexing his arm in the third period because of a "stinger" in his left shoulder . . . Erik Christensen's assist on Marian Gaborik's tying goal was his third point in two games . . . Brandon Dubinsky is one point shy of 100 for his career.