Sean Avery a Healthy Scratch for Game 5

After taking a series of potentially costly penalties late in the third period of Game 4, the New York Rangers have apparently seen enough of Sean Avery, as the super-pest is a healthy scratch for Game 5 against the Washington Captals.

According to ESPN.com's Pierre Lebrun, head coach John Tortorella wasn't in any mood to talk about potential lineup changes earlier in the day.

From Lebrun:

"You guys, because of what Sean did the other night, want to make it a Sean Avery thing," Tortorella said. "I coach the New York Rangers. I think team concept is the most important thing. That's the way I'm trying to approach this. I can't control what you guys do. You do what you do, and I do what I do. My biggest concern is a team that I feel needs to get better. Whether we're up 3-1 or it's 2-2 or we were down 3-1, we need to be better as a team. That's our whole focus."

During the first four games of the series, Avery has spent significant time in the penalty box, registering 24 penalty minutes, including a whopping 18 in Game 3, New York's only loss of the series. He actually spent more time in the penalty box in that game (18 minutes) than he did on the ice (16).

In Game 4, with the Rangers clinging to a one-goal lead late in the third period, Avery was sent off for two penalties in the final 10 minutes of regulation. Fortunately for the Rangers (and Avery), Henrik Lundqvist continued to be a brick wall in net, shutting down the Capitals' power play and preserving the win.

Prior to taking over as the Rangers' head coach -- and before Avery returned to the team via re-entry waivers in March -- Tortorella had some strong words regarding Avery's antics, saying, "Enough is enough. He's embarrassed himself, he's embarrassed the [Dallas] organization, he's embarrassed the league and he's embarrassed his teammates, who have to look out for him. Send him home. He doesn't belong in the league.''

Those comments came after Avery was suspended six games for his comments about other NHL players dating his ex-girlfriends.

I give Tortorella credit for the move, seeing as how Avery hasn't produced a single point in the series and nearly cost the Rangers a win in Game 4 with his undisciplined penalties at the worst possible time.