Stepan will see time at right point on power plays

Dubinsky, McLeod reunite

Brandon Dubinsky ran into an old teammate Friday night when the Rangers played the Avalanche.

Dubinsky was Cody McLeod's center for several years in juniors with the Portland Winterhawks. "Good guy, hard worker. He willed his way into the NHL," Dubinsky said.

McLeod, 26, who leads the Avalance in penalty minutes, said he hadn't really kept in touch with Dubinsky.

"It happens over the years," McLeod said. "He's off to a nice start this season. What's he got, 11 goals? That's good to see. I know he scored 30 one year [2004 in juniors]. But I had 31."

Keeping in touch

When forward Chad Kolarik was traded from Columbus to the Rangers on Nov. 11, he immediately called Avs center Kevin Porter, his best friend and former University of Michigan roommate. The pair also played together for the U.S. under-18 program and both were drafted by Phoenix in 2004.

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"We talk every week," said Porter, who had four goals in his previous six games. "Getting on the board's been good for my confidence."

As for Kolarik: "He scored in his first game at Hartford," Porter said. "I hope he gets a chance in New York."