"He's got more guts than a slaughterhouse." - Tom Renney on Petr Prucha

As he stepped onto the Garden ice after he was announced as the first star of the game, Petr Prucha was greeted with very loud "boooos". Ironically, a former Ranger who used to get a similar reaction from the crowd was in MSG last night. When that retired player's picture was put up on Gardenvision, the fans broke out in a thunderous applause and affectionate "boos". An unfamiliar fan might have thought Denis Potvin was up on the screen, but instead, it was the rugged defenseman from the 1994 Stanley Cup team, Jeff Beukeboom. I am quite certain that Petr, like Beuk, knows that the fans are not booing him. They were yelling "Pruuuuuu-cha" instead.

Prucha is rapidly becoming a fan favorite. He now gets as much of an ovation as guys like Jagr, Jed Ortmeyer, and Henrik Lundqvist. Already a hero with a couple of shootout game-winners, he is now scoring Adam Graves type goals, banging away at loose pucks in front of the net. Fortunately for Petr, though, defensemen are not able to punish him the way they punished players like Graves.

One of the Rangers other rookies, Henrik Lundqvist, bounced back from a bad game against the Caps with a 22 save performance. The team played a solid, disciplined game against the Jacques Lemaire led Wild. To my surprise, Manny Fernandez was not in goal for Minnesota, but they still got a solid performance out of Dwayne Roloson, who made 37 saves.

There were a few things the Rangers need to address, like taking Straka off of the point on the power play and finishing on odd-man rushes (or at least getting good shots off), but overall they played a solid game.

Then there is the issue of Marcel Hossa. While I can't say he has made too many glaring errors which have led to opponents goals, he is not contributing at all on offense. He has one assist in his last eleven games. That is just not enough for a guy who has been playing on the second line much of the year. He does not play on the penalty kill, and he gets very limited power play time. There are players down in Hartford who are putting up some points, such as Nigel Dawes, Jarkko Immonen, and Alexander Giroux (who is currently injured) who might deserve a shot up here, especially when Hossa has been completely invisible.

NY Post: "I don't really have to think so much, I just have in front of the net," said Prucha, who got both on rebounds, and has scored eight goals on the year, including six in the last eight matches. "I just have to be ready for a pass and be there for rebounds."

Note to Larry: Prucha now has nine goals on the year.

NY Daily News: Peter Prucha apparently is not aware that he is only 170 pounds and playing in a league in which the average defenseman tips the scales at more than 200. Or, if he is, he certainly doesn't care.

NY Newsday: In the old NHL, Petr Prucha would not be allowed to park himself in front of an opponent's net without some defenseman introducing him to the butt end of a hockey stick. Now, defensemen are more afraid of drawing penalties and goalies end up exposed.

The Journal News: That Henrik Lundqvist was his usual stingy self last night came as no surprise to Rangers goalie coach Benoit Allaire. "We don't have to worry too much about two bad games in a row," Allaire said.

The Journal News again: As part of the trickle-down effect of last night's line changes, rookie Dominic Moore found himself playing wing for the first time. Ever.

NY Times: The Rangers rookie forward Petr Prucha may not be big, but he is not afraid to park himself in front of the net, either.

The Rodent was pleased with last night's game, and must be thrilled with the recent play of Prucha.

NY SportsDay covers the Rangers' win, as well as all of the other hockey news.

OH, by the way . . . with that win last night the Rangers moved ahead of the Detroit Red Wings for SECOND PLACE IN THE NHL. They now trail only the Ottawa Senators (42) for most points in the league with 39.

Who would have thought? Not me.

HDH

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