Tortorella: Players need Olympic break, I don't

          Sounds like a poll question.

          Would it be better if the Rangers driven coach took a break from the game? Some fans---and perhaps some players---might say: Yes.

          “I don't play the game,” said John Tortorella, who will be one of two assistant coaches for Team USA . “These guys here that go through the travel and the grinding, they're the ones that need the break. The important thing for our guys is to make sure that the break is after that Tampa game (Sunday) and not look too forward. It's an important time for us, these next three games.” After the Tampa game, Tortorella said he knows how he will schedule himself in Vancouver, but again referenced young players like Michael Del Zotto, who he said needs a "mental break to refresh."

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             Tortorella took the blame for the second fight between Brandon Prust and the Devils’ Andrew Peters:     

             “I wish I had told him after the first fight not to fight him again. I should have, that's what I love about the kid, he's such a willing kid. Then he gets rewarded, makes a good little play (on Chris Drury's goal) He's been responsible defensively. That was my mistake. I should have told him after the first fight not even to bother anymore.  He's a guy I have to see more of and maybe put in some different situations.”            

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                  After yesterday’s practice, during which Tortorella employed the same lines used against the Devils and Jim Schoenfeld worked with the defense, the head coach said Prust and Olli Jokinen, who arrived in the trade with Calgary on Feb. 2, would have some additional film study.

                “We don't want to bother them too much on the days of the game, we want them to just be instinctive. So they’ll have some extra video work, with them in it, explaining our coverage away from the puck, just to go over our system again.”

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              While many of the Rangers who won’t be in Vancouver will head to warmer climates, they will be assigned a training regimen by strength and conditioning coach Reg Grant.  “They're gonna get away,” said Tortorella, “but we'll always give them an outline. Reggie will have a program for them. We don't hold their hands, but we feel comfortable that they'll do it.”  

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             Rangers will catch the Predators on second game of back-to-back Wednesday. Nashville visits Isles on Tuesday.