Andrew Gross over at Ranger Rants observed Rangers practice today and noted that Ales Kotalik, playing on the 4th line of late, was practicing with Sean Avery and Artem Anisimov on the 3rd line. The head coach has said numerous times he will find a spot for Kotalik to log more minutes if he plays well.
Also, Donald Brashear, scratched last game with general soreness, was participating in practice and skated with Brian Boyle and either Aaron Voros or Enver Lisin; indicating either one of those 2 forwards will be a scratched for Saturday's game in Toronto.
Here's what the lines looked like:
Prospal-Dubinsky-Gaborik
Higgins-Drury-Callahan
Avery-Anisimov-Kotalik
Brashear-Boyle-Voros/Lisin
Defensive pairs stayed the same as in recent games.
Thoughts:
- Kotalik has been nothing short of superb so far for the Rangers. He, along with the emergence of Michael Del Zotto as a legitimate PP QB, has been the reason why the Rangers power play is a threat every time out. Plus, it doesn't hurt to have a howitzer for a shot as well. If Kotalik continues to put up points, and Chris Higgins struggles to score, look for Tortorella to slot Kotalik along side former Sabre teammate Chris Dury on the 2nd line (which, in turn, could jump start the offensively challenged Drury, whom Kotalik had chemistry with).
- Who sits against Toronto will depend on whether Tortorella wants another big body (Voros) or to give the 4th line some speed and a touch of offense (Lisin). I'd sit Voros simply because Lisin has been playing well of late.
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