(
)
John Tortorella wasn’t making an example of Marian Gaborik on Wednesday night any more than the Rangers’ coach was making an example of Brian Boyle when he kept the big center on the bench for all but 2:30 (and 1:53 of even-strength) of the third period in the 3-2, Game 2 defeat to the Devils at the Garden.
The conference finals are neither the time nor the place for scapegoating or sending messages. The Rangers are the last team on earth that would need prompts delivered in that fashion, regardless. The guy behind their bench isn’t into mind games, in case you haven’t noticed.
This is not Game 26 of the regular season.
Tortorella is, rather, about giving ice time to players he believes, a) have earned it; and, equally as important as it applied to Game 2, b) are best equipped to help the team win with it.
Neither Gaborik, who was deficient on and away from the puck more than once, nor Boyle, who has not been a force since being concussed in Game 5 against Ottawa, fit either definition in the third period Wednesday, even if keeping Gaborik on the bench in the final minute represented a decision more of the coach’s heart than of his head.
Tortorella is right about this: You win by defending. But you can’t win by defending alone. You can’t win by blocking shots alone.
You can’t beat the Devils, clearly the best, deepest, most mature and most poised opponent the Rangers have faced, without putting pressure on Martin Brodeur, who is in a separate category than Craig Anderson and Braden Holtby.
The Rangers are comfortable playing in their own end forever if they’re able to collapse low and inside-out to protect the house while keeping the puck to the outside.
Some of the Blueshirts’ finest minutes come when they might appear trapped, but are actually laying a trap for their opponents by inviting them into their lair.
But not in this series, where for the most part the Rangers have been scrambling and out of position, their discipline disrupted by New Jersey’s forecheck. The Devils have also done an excellent job eliminating the counter that should be available to the Blueshirts, but hasn’t been other than when Chris Kreider has been able to get out with his speed.
And of course, the Rangers’ forecheck and down low game has been disrupted by Brodeur’s ability to play the puck and chip it out of harm’s way. Even if Brodeur turns it over up the half wall, he has saved a defenseman from taking a hit. The Rangers need better placement on their chip-ins.
If the Rangers require more moxie from Gaborik, they certainly need a greater contribution from Brad Richards, who has barely had the puck against New Jersey and whose ability to hit the high notes has obscured his lack of consistency through the tournament that has mirrored the season.
Everyone wants to give the benefit of the doubt to Ryan Callahan, but the captain hasn’t scored at even-strength since 12:01 of the first period of the first game of the first round, and it’s hard to remember the last time he even came close.
Carl Hagelin hasn’t scored in the playoffs and neither has Ruslan Fedotenko, Mike Rupp, Brandon Prust or John Mitchell. Derek Stepan has one goal, none at even strength, through 16 games.
Everyone wants to give the benefit of the doubt to pretty much all of the Rangers, who are battered, who must be tired despite Tortorella’s claims to the contrary, and who should be a better team in Game 3 tomorrow with two days between matches.
But while they will continue to block shots and defend, they will have to score. The Rangers have averaged 2.12 goals per thus far in the playoffs. The 1945 Maple Leafs are the only team in modern NHL history to win the Cup scoring less than that, Toronto producing 1.85 per (24 goals in 13 games).
There is, by the way, no video available of coach Hap Day’s press conferences.
larry.brooks@nypost.com