for barry...

who "slept in the sweater" after the rangers defeated ottowa the other night. no one loves the ranges (or texting struds) more than barry.



"I'm wearing my Rangers gloves," forward Jaromir Jagr said. "That's the team that got me there."

If only a couple of Rangers were selected to the Czech Olympic team, perhaps they would have to adhere to the full dress code. But since five were picked, they form a large and powerful lobby.

Their fingerprints are all over the Czech roster — Jagr, Martin Straka, Martin Rucinsky, Marek Malik and Petr Prucha, who will not be able to participate because he is recovering from an injured right knee.

The Czech Republic probably will not mind that the players wear a piece of New York so long as they mimic their success with the Rangers. If the group has the same influence on the Olympics that it is having on the National Hockey League, the Czechs may win the gold medal and create a transcontinental following in the process.