Tom Renney isn't letting this losing streak get to him. He is going to be philosophical and stay on the bright side of things.

Renney on Malik: "It may affect our transition game," Renney said when asked about the return of Malik. "He's got really good poise with the puck, he's got good deception where he can look people off and then make the appropriate little outlet pass. Those are real critical to our transition game and how much time we spend in our own end."

Renney on the slump: "All the cliches fit," Rangers coach Tom Renney said. "It's a very valuable time for us if we get through this adversity, because it's going to galvanize our group and define our organization moving forward."

Renney on the season so far: Renney stressed the positive before yesterday's skate, reminding his players that before the season, "if we told you we could have 82 points in the middle of March, would you take it?"

Renney on practice and the team's efforts: "If we weren't working, getting chances and leaving it on the ice, then it might be a little different practice," Renney said. "We operate out of intelligence, we don't punish. We operate out of the moment. There are people going through a lot worse than our hockey team here. It helps to have a little perspective."

While the one negative seems to be that Martin Rucinsky will miss tonight's game because of his knee re-re-injury, Malik's return (and Strudwick's resulting scratch) is a big positive. Ryan Hollweg will return to the lineup because of Rucinsky's absence. Henrik Lundqvist will be between the pipes once again. All positives.

Another negative: Jaromir Jagr now adds stomach muscles to his injury list, to go along with his aching hip and groin. He didn't skate yesterday with the team. I can't say I would be upset if he was given a day off. I am really concerned about his health down the stretch.

Andrew Gross of the Journal News (link above) reports that the Rangers are close to signing Lauri Korpikoski to a professional contract. The Rangers did sign a University of Massachusetts defenseman, Marvin Degon, to an amateur tryout contract yesterday, and he will join the Wolf Pack for the remainder of the season. Degon played with current Pack blueliner Thomas Pöck when he was at UMASS. Degon led the Minutemen in scoring with 29 points in 36 games, and he was the top scoring defenseman in Hockey East this year.

Meanwhile, the aged Brad Smyth had 5 points in his return to Hartford. The Wolf Pack routed the Philly Phantoms 8-2 last night.

And in an incredible twist, NHLPA President Ted Saskin is actually discussing raising the team salary caps by $3 million dollars rather than the proposed $6 million. Something to do with escrow.

So tonight, the leading candidate for Rookie-of-the-Year, Alexander Ovechkin, brings his Washington Capitals to MSG to face the struggling Rangers and rookie-runner-up Henrik Lundqvist. I think the King might take that crown after all. The puck drops at 7:00 pm EST. Enjoy the game.

HDH

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