The Wrap: Post-game notes, quotes, stats

By Steve ZipayFebruary 16, 2012

Let's start with Marc Staal, who scored his first goal and had recorded his first assist in the last game:

"We're going to look at that first period, we're going to learn from it, see what went wrong, and fix it. We responded well and we didn't give up. We played hard for the rest of the game, and it was kind of interesting in the end but it wasn't enough to get us back in the game."

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Ryan McDonagh has a point (two goals, assist) in last three games...Mike Rupp said he just got the wind knocked out of him when he hit a rut and crashed into the end boards in the second period...Marian Hossa and Jonathan Toews each had a goal and assist for Chicago, Brent Seabrook had two assists...Ryan Callahan's assist extended his point streak to five games.

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The Rick Nash speculation increased, with Columbus Assistant GM Chris MacFarland on the list for last night’s game at the Garden and with the Rangers---one of five teams for which the superstar winger will waive his no-trade clause---continuing discussions with the Blue Jackets.

Nash, 27, is a prolific scorer, but has a $7.8-million salary cap hit for each of the next six seasons and the Blue Jackets are reportedly asking for at least one top forward, two prospects and one or two high draft picks.

Including Brandon Dubinsky ($4.2 million per season) in the deal would ease the financial strain; what is unclear is which youngsters the Rangers would offer before the Feb. 27 trade deadline. One player who wouldn’t be easy to relinquish is forward Chris Kreider, the team’s top prospect, currently at Boston College. Another is Michael Del Zotto. The Jackets brass, who might be hiring a new general manager and coach, also could wait until the off-season to pull the trigger.

But there is no doubt that the Rangers and the Los Angeles Kings are very intrigued, given the fact that players of Nash’s caliber aren’t readily available. A summer backup plan for the Rangers could be to woo Zach Parise, scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent unless the Devils lock him up long-term.

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Even coach John Tortorella is caught up in “Lin-sanity”. "I don't know much about basketball, but I watch him, and I just love the way he handles himself,” he said. “What I've seen, there's just a humbleness about him, but he keeps on going about his business and finds a way. We're around the cafeteria (at the training center) with those guys and we know the coaches; we're glad it's turned around for them and hopefully, it'll continue."…Wojtek Wolski and Jeff Woywitka were healthy scratches…Ruslan Fedotenko (head injury) missed his fourth consecutive game....Rangers are off tomorrow, will practice on Saturday.