Odd Man...In?

ERIK CHRISTENSEN: PLAYER PROFILE
by Rich Baiocco

Erik Christensen has been an enigma in the NHL. He is arguably most well known on the Blueshirts as a shootout specialist--and one of the most creative in the league at that--but those stats don't figure into the season scoresheets. He has one of the best wrist shots in the game though labored through a month-long stretch from mid December to late February where his shooting percentage was a zero. He has an incredible offensive skill set and earlier this season Coach Tortorella remarked Christensen was hands down the best passer on the team, yet his struggles with consistency and low point production have seen him move through 6 teams (4 NHL, 2 AHL) since 2007. He is thought of as a bit of a headcase in that he self-admittedly 'over-thinks' the game sometimes, yet he has excelled both years when Gaborik has been out of the lineup and coach needed someone to step up into the goal-scorer role. So what gives?

Frankly, who cares? Going back to the Feb. 25th Gaborik-less 7-0 routing of the Washington Capitals, Christensen has put up 9 points for the Rangers including 5 goals to surpass his Ranger high and currently rides a 2 game goal scoring streak into the Montreal showdown. He may never be the 40 goal scorer his potential teases at, but he is clicking with Gabby and Prospal in a way that rejuvenates that line as a threat, and he adds a dangerous prong to our newly vicious power-play; as we come down the stretch the reality of these assets are far more valuable than the projections of his talents and if he can stay on track in shooting the puck as often as possible it will be difficult to take him out of the lineup for more than a rest game.

Tortorella scratched him for 2 games recently and EC came back with goals in back to back tilts which shows me that he's getting locked in. With an extra forward to play with, the ideal situation for the Rangers' players in this last double-handful of games left is to not take a scratching personally, but rather show up to play on time when your name is called and answer the bell.

Avery seems likely to be the scratch tonight as his discipline has come into question after two unnecessary penalties on Tuesday (one leading to a goal) but perhaps he was just trying to make some noise after being scratched in San Jose. Either way, the Canadian power-play is lethal and a momentum builder for them so the less we put them up a man the better. I don't buy the excuse that Avery has to play on the edge anymore. He's veered towards safety's side of the edge for the majority of the season and has done great puck control/cycle/playmaking work for us below the hash marks and especially behind the net. We don't need him to aggravate his game at the risk of taking dumb penalties in the offensive zone. On the other side of things, a goal at the garden for him is a huge Ranger boost as he's an energetic guy and fan favorite.

Wolski may get the scratch again but it's unlikely. The talented Phoenix transplant has been playing well lately and provides Step and Zucc with a charismatic linemate that can tic-tac-toe an odd man rush into the back of the net. This line also has the ability to be forgotten about by other teams because their ice time is low and can sneak on against an opponents unsuspecting 4th line to do some damage.

Regardless of who is scratched tonight, whoever is IN the lineup needs to chip in. It will be a total team effort to shut down the quick Canadians. But now's our time to beat them.