barry puts on the foil....

After a disappointing third period on Monday night the Rangers skate tonight at the swamps in the NJ Meadowlands. The Blueshirts failed to retaliate to Rivet's dirty hit on Rucinsky on Saturday night and were physically outplayed. Tom Poti reported to the Garden on Monday with the flu so he sat out the game. Otherwise, we would have seen bruiser Jason Strudwick upfront on a checking line seeking revenge on Rivet.
Due to Poti's stomach bug, Strudwick slid back to play D and had to focus on other priorities. To add a little grit to the line up the Rangers called up Ryan Hollweg from Hartford. Hollweg had 239 PIMs in Hartford last year so he is not afraid to drop the gloves and plays a physical game - something the Rangers have lacked so far this year.
It is times like these where our old friend Matthew Barnaby would step up his game and I hope that Hollweg can fill this roll. The Rangers can't keep getting beat up the way they have over the last few games.
They also recalled Prucha who they wanted to give more ice time to last week in Hartford and Taffe (Reggie Dunlop look-alike) was sent down for conditioning. Weeks will be between the pipes tonight and Marty Brodeur is out for the Devils with a bruised knee. The season series with the Devils is knoted at one apiece so this is a big game for the Blueshirts. It's about time they drop the gloves and show a
little bit of grit. Straka and Nylander really need to step up to the occasion as well in Rucinsky's absence.

Here is a further scounting report on Hollweg: A solid player who is strong on his feet and will get involved physically ... Has the ability to hit through his legs and generate power in taking an opponent off the puck and out of the play ... Creative in the offensive zone and likes to work off the side boards ... Handles the puck well and doesn't slow down with the puck ... Very solid on his skates ... Is quick to loose pucks ... Willing to go into traffic and has the ability to make plays in traffic.