BlueShirtsUnited

The Rangers held a spirited upbeat practice Monday afternoon at the MSG Training center before setting off for a flight to Pittsburgh, where they will face the Penguins on Tuesday night. There was a full contingent of players out on the ice as injured winger Ruslan Fedotenko took part in the workout with his teammates---his first on-ice activity with the entire team since last Tuesday's morning skate in Boston.

"I'm feeling better, so that's a good thing," said Fedotenko, who has now missed five straight games after absorbing a hit to the head. "I'm just happy to be doing anything, really. It's hard to just sit still and not do much. I had a little workout (two days ago), skated yesterday, and now it's great to be back in the action (today)."

Fedotenko added that he was unsure when he would return to the lineup. He and Wojtek Wolski shared shifts on the fourth line suring Monday's practice while rookie Stu Bickel shifted back to his regular position on defense.

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Rugged winger Brandon Prust was in a reflective mood after practice when he was asked the difference a year makes for a Rangers team that was battling for a playoff spot a year ago at this time and the current squad which sits atop the Eastern Conference.

"It's such a different feeling," said Prust. "Last year we were chasing teams and were always thinking that we wanted to beat this team or that because they are the best and we wanted to prove we could beat them and then have that swagger because we beat one of the top teams. Now we know that we have the target on our backs and teams are doing that to us. But now we are going into every game proving why we are the best. And to be honest, that's where you want to be."

Share your thoughts below on what Prust had to say, as well as about Fedotenko's injury status.