New York Rangers winger Sean Avery will make his 2011 playoff debut Friday night in Game 2 of the Rangers' opening-round series against the Washington Capitals.Coach John Tortorella confirmed the lineup change Friday morning, citing the Rangers' need to have more puck possession time in the
Capitals' end of the ice following their 2-1 overtime loss in Game 1 Wednesday."I think at times when Sean is consistent with his play he can add some forecheck.
New York Rangers Jerseys I'll tell you right now Sean's going in tonight," Tortorella said. "So hopefully he'll give us an opportunity to forecheck, stay disciplined and add some energy to our lineup."Avery will go in for winger Mats Zuccarello, who logged just 7 minutes, 34 seconds of ice time in Game 1 and registered one shot on goal. He had no points.In replacing Zuccarello, Tortorella said he wasn't confident that the 23-year-old could handle the physicality of playoff hockey."Whether he can handle the size and the overall consistency of playoff hockey, I'm not sure," Tortorella said.
Avery, who had just three goals during the regular season, was a healthy scratch for the Rangers last two games and was a healthy scratch six times during the last month of the regular season.When approached by reporters Friday morning,
Christian Audigier Handbags, Avery would only say he was ready to play.New York Rangers head coach John Tortorella got a little steamed when he felt New York Post writer Larry Brooks was trying to box him in during the pregame presser prior Game 2 against the Washington Capitals. The questioning started amiably enough with Brooks asking if Tortorella thought his team had its back against the wall. Tortorella responded that he never felt t
hat way. As Brooks sought some clarification with follow-up questions, the Rangers bench boss accused the Post beat writer of trying to play with his words to get him to say something inflammatory.
NHL Jerseys Barbs were hurled and Torts concluded the exchange with some R-rated language. Thanks to some handy video footage from Jesse Spector of the Daily News, you can check out the exchange here. Be forewarned there are no bleeps to censor the explicit language. Friday's verbal jousting was not the first lively exchange between the pair. TSN compiled this Top 10 video of some of occasions when Mt. Torts blew its top. Brooks accounts for more than a few of them.