Fritsche, acquired from Columbus during the summer, will skate on the left of Lauri Korpikoski and Ryan Callahan on the third line.
Patrick Rissmiller (right ankle) didn't skate in the optional, although he was in the workout room, and coach Tom Renney said once he decided that Rissmiller couldn't go, he opted for Fritsche (10-12-22 in 69 games for the Blue Jackets last season) over Nigel Dawes.
"It swelled up on him a bit after the skate yesterday and last night and we looked at him this morning and we thought it would be a better idea to rest that," said Renney. "I probably would have played Pat because of his size and I didn't get to see a lot of him in Philadelphia. Six or seven minutes isn't enough"
Asked if he wrestled with the decision between Dawes---who sat Saturday---and Fritsche, Renney said, "Big time." Fritsche needs to get in a game, Renney said, although Dawes has had some success against the Devils. "It's been too long for Danny. I think Danny will play strong, get in on the forecheck."
"I knew I would get my shot at some point," said Fritsche. "I've made sure I'll be ready when it happened."
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G Henrik Lundqvist, who will start, practiced, but said he wouldn't have if he played Saturday. He also practiced yesterday in order to try out some new equipment, but was back to his regular gear today. The other skaters: Valiquette, Fritsche, Prucha, Callahan, Korpikoski, Dawes, Betts, Orr, Kalinin, Sjostrom.
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Renney, who wore a black Victoria Cup warmup jacket, predicted that the Devils
would be competitive from the puck drop. "They don't give a ---- if we were 15-0. It's good for us. We're a little bit of a fatigued team."
More from the Garden later...
Comments (10)
Renney says "Fatigued"???? You are 4 games into the season and hes talking fatigued. Give me a break. Act like the professionals that get payed mllions of dollars tlike you are and go out their and play. Fatigue my backside. Try working fulltime from 6am-2pm, going to grad school from 430p-9p, get your daily workout in, and then study. Thats what fatigue means.
This was the obvious move, I expect Fritsche to play like a man possessed tonight.
He needs to play so well it's impossible to take him out.
Mr. Dawes should play like that once in awhile.
Hey Kris,
got any 6-4 240 pound defensemen throwing you into the boards while go through your tough life of working and going to school?
Kris you are a freaking joke. County college and Burger King can't be that hard. And as for your daily workout 7 minutes of "pleasing yourself" is not working out.
Ryan Hollweg just took one of his classic hit from behind majors and the Blues who were down 3-1 and looked like a beaten team score 2 PP goals to tie it and look energized. Oh the memories, good times and warm feelings. NOT. Thank god he's off the Blueshirts!!!
Hey Mike and Dude,
Name one 6-4 240 pound defenseman that the Rangers have faced up to this point in the season? Actually some were close bu not 6-4 240 so stop exaggerating. These guys are "PROFFESSIONALS". They are some of the strongest and conditioned athletes in the world. Being an exercise science graduate myself i understand the way the different energy systems in the human body works. Immediate fatigue after the game makes sense. Long-term fatigue shouldnt kick in until 75% of the season is through and its all about who wants it more. Dont give me fatigue.
Kris,
OMG shut the ell up, The Rangers played 4 games in Europe come back home, get a few days off and then have back to back games the 2nd of which is on the road vs one of the best teams in the Eastern conference, ya dipchit, and won them all!
Why don't you use your phenomenal education to start a lawsuit vs Renney for saying the word "fatigued" if it bothers you so much.
As for Hollweg, thank god we got rid of him, how did we manage to swindle a 5th round pick from the Leafs for that loser?
After all that travel overseas, plus the 4 games played, I can see the team a bit tired, but not fatigued...that is way too strong of a word to use. I have traveled overseas numerous times and lemme tell ya, even on vacation going from country to country, it might be fun but it catches up w/ya. Glad to see Fritsch get a shot and the longer Dawes sits the quicker a move can and will be made. Great to see team unity this year instead of team Jagr....what a difference we see already. No Backman, No Holloweg...that's the best. Now we need puck management and more ownership in our own end and close off the lanes.\_ _
Zip, any news on Cherepanov? The message boards are going mad with rumors that his heart stopped after returning to the bench following a collision with a teammate, possibly Jagr?!? He was supposedly rushed to the hospital. Can you work your sources to verify/confirm anything? Please follow-up with some info and God speed, Cherry!
Its official..he passed away shortly after...What a tremendous loss to his family..his team in omsk and the Rangers organization...thank you Alexei for having given us the hope for a bright future with you in our line up You may be gone but you are not forgotten..Sincere condolonces to all who were affiliated with him and may you rest in peace Alexei