Sports

KASPAR THE ANGRY GHOST

After sitting out the first three games of the season, Darius Kasparaitis finally reached his boiling point.

There is a chance he’ll dress tonight against the Penguins, be it an outside one, but Kasparaitis stormed away from reporters yesterday in order to compose himself behind closed doors when discussing his level of frustration in missing games.

Tom Renney could be in danger of mentally losing his most physical defenseman, and in mid-sentence yesterday, Kasparaitis needed to excuse himself before potentially saying something that could have jeopardized the coach’s willingness to put him in the lineup.

When asked if it was getting more and more frustrating to sit with each game, Kasparaitis said, “I don’t know, really. I just try to be positive and work hard and think about my teammates, at least . . .” and then he was off and running. He disappeared into the players-only hallway outside the dressing room and privately peeled off his practice gear.

Renney said he will “have to defer until [this] morning” a decision on Kasparaitis, whose conditioning level is not up to par following summertime groin and shoulder surgeries, in the coach’s estimation.

“I don’t have a gun to my head or anything like that,” Renney said in response to whether he’ll make any roster changes after Tuesday’s no-show performance against the Flyers. “I’m going to make a decision that’s based on sensible information and I’ll do whatever I think is right.”

Tuesday’s lethargic 4-2 loss was painful to watch, but it was even more excruciating for Kasparaitis, a player known for setting a physical tone with his crushing checks.

“When you’re injured or you don’t play, you always think you can make a difference,” Kasparaitis said. “Of course, when you watch a game like that, you want to be there, maybe make a big hit or I don’t know, just feel like you can do something, you know, impossible.”

Kasparaitis, who will be required by Renney to pass an endurance test before he’s cleared to play, stopped short of saying anything damning. He did return after cooling off and made no secret of his desire to get back in uniform.

“The best test is you just go and play and see where you’re at,” Kasparaitis said. “But whatever happens, happens. I’m just trying to work hard, stay positive . . . and whenever they decide, I’ll be ready to play.”

PENGUINS at RANGERS

Tonight 7:00 – MSG; ESPN (1050 AM)