Three-man cycle doesn't help Rangers
Head coach John Tortorella of the New York Rangers looks on from the bench as his team plays against the Nashville Predators. (Jan. 17, 2012) Credit: Jim McIsaac
Can cycling be a non-productive workout? Maybe not in the gym, but on the ice, cycling deep in the opponents' zone may be an overrated part of the Rangers' game.
John Tortorella said Thursday, "You can cycle yourself to death and just wear yourself out without getting anything to the net. Eventually, your 'D' needs to get involved, so it's not just a three-man cycle."
At times the Rangers have controlled the puck very well, Tortorella said, but it becomes a numbers game. "They have five guys in the quadrant and you're cycling three against five and accomplishing nothing."
Prust's play improving
Brandon Prust, who has been told to be more picky with his fights, started the game as he finished against Nashville on Tuesday: playing right wing with Brad Richards and Brandon Dubinsky in place of Ryan Callahan.
"I just don't think it was working with Brad and Cally for a while," Tortorella said. "Pruster certainly has played better."
Prust has 12 fighting majors (second in the NHL to Ottawa's Zenon Konopka) and his bouts can spark the team, but "I've had to tell Pruster not to fight people because I think he's a better player than the person he wants to fight," Tortorella said. "It tends to hurt us."
Blue notesD Michael Sauer (concussion), who had practiced for two straight days, did not skate Thursday but worked out off-ice. "All's good," Tortorella said . . . D Jeff Woywitka (bruised foot) said he hopes to be cleared for contact this weekend . . . Wojtek Wolski was a healthy scratch for the second straight game after playing only 6:20 in Sunday's 4-1 loss to Montreal.
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