NHL

Avery left watching Rangers slide

PHOENIX — Sean Avery has given up trying to figure out when he will play again for the Rangers, but he admits sitting while the team played two of its ugliest games of the season the past five days has been particularly difficult.

“It’s definitely more frustrating,” Avery told The Post after practice yesterday in St. Louis before the team flew west for tonight’s game against the Coyotes. “I know I can help.”

But he also knows there is not much he can do about it.

Avery said he had not talked to coach John Tortorella after being a healthy scratch the past two games, physical losses in which Avery’s rugged style may have benefited the Rangers.

“It’s not easy, but it’s part of the job have and you have to deal with it,” Avery said. “I want the guys to play well regardless of who is in the lineup, but it’s tough.”

He said he does not believe there is much he can do in practice to change the situation.

“I don’t think so,” Avery said.

Tortorella said he wasn’t sure if he would alter the lineup for tonight and would not say if Avery would be involved.

“I’ve got a lot of players out that I have to consider, not just Sean,” Tortorella said. “I’m pleased with how all the guys are working.”

One player who intends to be back tonight is Mike Rupp, who has been sidelined for nearly two months with a left knee injury. Rupp made it through practice unscathed and said he gave Tortorella the “thumbs up” about playing against Phoenix.

“It’s Coach’s decision, but there will be butterflies because I haven’t missed time like this in a while,” Rupp said. “It’s going to be an adjustment. Skating hard in practice is one thing, but skating in the corners, battling for pucks is another. I have to make sure I do that right away because that’s my game.”

And it’s something that has been virtually absent from the Rangers in their two recent losses.

“Sometimes those divisional rival games are easy games to have extra incentive,” Rupp said. “You have to find ways against teams in the other conference that you don’t see very often and … sometimes you come out flat. Earlier in the year we made statements against each team, and I think we need to do that [tonight].”

For Brad Richards, it will be an opportunity to bounce back from a tough outing in the 4-1 loss to the Blues on Thursday night, when Tortorella sat him for nearly half the first period.

Richards’ 15:12 of ice time was the least he had played in a game while healthy since February 28, 2006, when he was with the Lightning . Richards’ coach at the time was Tortorella.

“Coaches don’t take a player like me off the ice for no reason,” Richards said. “There’s a reason and I’ve got to respond to it.”

Tortorella said, “He gets it. That will never be a problem with [Richards]. He understands his game.”

Richards didn’t need an explanation from Tortorella.

“It’s been like that since I’ve known him,” Richards said. “It’s not a big deal. I have to be held accountable like everybody else. … Sometimes it’s good to get a little wakeup.”