Rangers to take on surging Devils

GREENBURGH, N.Y. -- A Giants Super Bowl cap and T-shirt, as well as a Big Blue jacket that was many sizes too small, hung in Brian Boyle's locker, the result of a lost bet on the Patriots by the Massachusetts native. Naturally, the ribbing was in full force after practice Monday. "I'll wear the shirt and the hat," Boyle said. "But I don't have to be happy about it."

Tuesday night, Boyle and his teammates, who have 71 points in 50 games and can afford to be a little loose, face another team that plays in New Jersey, the Devils, who have won four straight. They can close to within six points of the Atlantic Division-leading Rangers with a regulation win.

The Rangers lost to the Devils, 4-3, in a shootout last Tuesday in Newark with Martin Biron, rather than Henrik Lundqvist, in the net for the first time against the Devils in 33 games. Lundqvist, who has won five of his last six starts and is 23-9-5 against the Devils, is expected to be back between the pipes at Madison Square Garden.

Coach John Tortorella said he was unsure about his lines and defensive pairs. Only 12 forwards are on the roster, so the choice really is on the blue line between rookie Stu Bickel, who has played 20 games, and Steve Eminger, whose return from a separated right shoulder is imminent. Bickel played 6:20 last Tuesday in New Jersey, and only 27 seconds in the third period, but he drew praise from Tortorella after Sunday's win over the Flyers and likely will stay on the third pairing. "The lineup is working right now," said Eminger, who rotated partners during practice. "I'm ready for whenever I get the chance to play."

Notes & quotes: Marian Gaborik has two goals and three assists in the two previous games against New Jersey. "I think there's more there," said Tortorella, who has reunited Gaborik with Derek Stepan and Artem Anisimov, a trio that was very productive earlier this season . . . Ilya Kovalchuk, who was named second star of the week by the NHL, has three goals and seven assists in four games . . . The Rangers have only two power-play goals in 44 chances, and Tortorella tried using linemates against the Flyers . . . It does not appear that there will be any fine for the Flyers' Tom Sestito, who yanked Brandon Prust's head back by his hair during a fight Sunday.