Having survived the flu and a full morning skate, Henrik Lundqvist will be back in the net tonight at the Garden.
"It's good to feel fresh," said Lundqvist, who had practice about a half-hour with goaltender coach Benoit Allaire on Monday, before going home to rest.
"We have a busy week coming up, so we wanted to be safe," said Lundqvist.
The top three new lines: Straka-Gomez-Jagr, Dawes-Drury-Shanahan, Prucha-Dubinsky-Callahan and the HBO trio will debut, Renney said.
The scratches tonight: Marek Malik, who skated but Renney said was under the weather; Marcel Hossa and Sean Avery.
Jagr, Shanahan, Gomez, Drury, Straka and Tyutin skipped the optional practice, which included G Al Montoya and Steve Valiquette and was punctuated by a crisp rebuke early on from assistant coach Perry Pearn, who blew the whistle to halt play.
"This is an optional practice," he barked. "If you don;t want to be here, get the ---- off," he said, pointing his stick toward the bench. "When the whistle blows, be ready to go. Wake the -----up!"
More from MSG later....
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Comments (12)
I'm sure Meehan is basking in this opportunity for further greed.
Pearn sounds like he's got some emotion brewing inside! Let it out man! How about some of that during the game!
Someone needs to get these bums going. If it's going to be Pearn, then so be it. I think these guys need to be shaken up a bit.
Like to see some fire from someone. Dont like to see that kind of fire is needed after the last loss. That loss should have been enough fuel to get them going in practice and game.
I like the new line combos, though I'm surprised it's not Drury between Jagr and Straka. I expect the adjustment to be easier for Jagr with Straka on his side instead of Hossa.
If Renney wants to help get Jagr going, he's got to go back to a true top power-play unit. Shanahan, Gomez, and Jagr up front with Drury and Tyutin (rather than Rosival) at the points. Two separate units is not working.
You see what I am saying!?!?! JJ, Chris and Scotty don't show up for the optional practice?!?! What you're so good you don't need it?! From your production I think you do. Nice to see that Tom is enforcing his system of accountability.
"Jags is on pace for 35 points... I said 35 POINTS! He isn't making his option triggers and isn't going to get 9.88 million next year unless he goes to Philly."
Attaboy Perry, give these guys a good verbal kick in the seat. I hope Pearn stays with this team, because he is definitely not far away form being the bench boss of an NHL team.
And is it about damn time they see that all Hossa does is take up space for someone else who can actually play this game?
Anon, Drury at the point is rather useless. If you want to throw a forward at the point, mine as well be Straka.
Straka for sure
the other Anon
like i said this team needs to be smacked around ... i dont care who does it as long as someone does.
i thought we would see drury with JJ cause of how gomez and shanahan were playing. But now that i think about it, shanahan and drury play the north-south game. Gomez can play the north-south, but he can also control the puck down low and make passes from behind the goal line. i didnt like it at first, but now im 50/50. we will see tonight
Too many games, too many practices. I'm with the boys who just want to get fresh, away from the rink. This team looks burned out, the practice schedule should be toned way down.
Notice how the team gets yelled at when JJ, Drury, and Gomez aren't there.
"Jags is on pace for 35 points... I said 35 POINTS! He isn't making his option triggers and isn't going to get 9.88 million next year unless he goes to Philly."