The Rangers held a fast-paced 20-minute on-ice practice at Madison Square Garden on Tuesday, one that head coach John Tortorella said helped him realize that his club has "moved by" its 4-1 loss to the Devils in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Finals on Monday.
Both Brandon Dubinsky and Mats Zuccarello took part in the full practice---neither wearing a non-contact jersey---as both inch closer to a possible return to the lineup. After practice Dubinsky proclaimed that he had "no breaking news" and "no update" on his playing status, but that taking part in a series of practices continues to be "encouraging". Zuccarello was unavailable for comment after practice.
Brandon Prust, suspended by the NHL for Game Four, also practiced, and remained on the ice for extra work after most of his teammates had called it a day.
The most sought-after quote in the Rangers locker room after practice was Mike Rupp, who totaled 14 minute sin penalties late in Game 4 when he added on to one roughing minor by shoving Devils goalie Martin Brodeur and setting off a mini melee between the two teams.
"It's a hockey game and sometimes things happen in the moment," explained Rupp, who is a former teammate of Brodeur's. "I just responded in that moment and that was that, Nothing else went into it except that. In those two seconds I don't really have time to think about anything. It's just a reaction."
Rupp, Tortorella, and several other players insisted the incident is in the past and will not carry over into Game 5 at The Garden on Wednesday.
As for that game, team captain Ryan Callahan said he was confident the team would respond in the proper fashion.
"We're used to this situation, we've been in it two other times---a best of three with two at home---and it's something we've been through and we know how to prepare for it," said Callahan. "We'll be ready for tomorrow's game."
