The Rangers are a team that has shown a lot of grit in the first four games of the season, and that intensity level is only going to spike when Sean Avery enters the lineup today at the Garden against the Ducks.
Avery, who has been sidelined since the preseason with a strained MCL in his left knee, was hopeful at practice yesterday when he participated fully, wearing a knee brace.
“I think it was obviously a smart idea not to play in Washington,” Avery said, referring to the Rangers’ comeback 4-3 victory on Thursday. “Guys came out and played a great game, got us a win, and I feel like I’m ready to go now.”
Although coach John Tortorella was ambiguous, as always, about whether Avery would play, it was pretty clear the intention is for the feisty forward to take the Garden ice for the first time since the Game 6 loss to the Capitals in last year’s first round of the playoffs.
“I love playing there and I love the fans, so it will be exciting for sure,” Avery said. “I’ve been shooting pucks here for a while and I had a pretty good training camp up until I got hurt, so I don’t think [my preparation] is an issue. I feel pretty good.”
The interesting part now is the question of who Tortorella will decide to sit in favor of Avery. For the past week, Tortorella has been lauding the play of his fourth line. Centered by Brian Boyle, flanked by Aaron Voros and Donald Brashear, the fourth line has dominated play in key moments of the Rangers’ three wins (3-1-0), albeit in limited ice time.
“In the ice time we’ve gotten, our line has been playing in their end,” Voros said. “As long as we’re playing in the other team’s end, good things are going to happen, eventually.”
Voros played 54 games last year for the Blueshirts, starting the year on a tear with five goals in the first eight games. He ended the season with eight goals, and was a frequent healthy scratch in the latter part of the year.
“Obviously, we have a lot of skill and guys that can put the puck in the net, but we also need a line to soften up the opposition when needed,” Voros said, “a line that can change the momentum and turn the tide.”
Changing the momentum has been Avery’s specialty for years. Yesterday, when Avery got into full line drills, he centered that fourth line, with Boyle sitting out.
Avery hasn’t played center since his days in Los Angeles — three years ago — but he feels that no matter where he is, or whom he’s skating with, he can be effective.
“I just play hard and play my style of game,” Avery said. “So whatever is the best fit for me is fine with me.”
Although Avery took Boyle’s place in practice, it’s hard to tell if Tortorella would be willing to sit the 6-foot-6 center from Boston College, mostly because he has been a cog in the very effective penalty-kill unit.