Gaborik Stars, Survives in Rangers Debut

NEW YORK -- With one play in the first period Monday night, Marian Gaborik showed New York the magnificence he's capable of when healthy.

Making his Rangers debut in a 4-2 win over Detroit at Madison Square Garden, Gaborik dazzled with a virtuoso piece of playmaking that led to a power play goal nine minutes into the game. Protecting the puck from Detroit defenseman Brad Stuart over two trips in one sequence behind the Red Wings goal, he backhanded a cross-ice pass to a wide-open Enver Lisin to give the Rangers a 2-0 lead.

Perhaps more important than the highlight-reel assist was Gaborik getting bounced around in his very first shift in his Rangers debut -- and surviving it. "He got knocked on his butt," said coach John Tortorella. "It woke me up," said Gaborik, who admitted to being nervous before the game.

The 27-year old Gaborik was signed by the Rangers to a five-year contract averaging $7.5 million a year after a season with the Minnesota Wild in which he was limited to 17 games with hip, back and groin injuries. He has missed sessions at camp as the Rangers treat his comeback with caution. Prior to his injury-filled season, Gaborik posted consecutive campaigns of 38, 30 (in just 48 games) and 42 goals.

Monday morning, Gaborik said he was "not 100 percent" but was not in pain and needed game action. Tortorella provided Gaborik a regular shift and a spot on the penalty kill. After the game, the All-Star said he made it through with his health intact, would see how he recovered Tuesday at practice, wanted to play in the Rangers' final two preseason games and hoped to feel "better and better." His stat line for the night: 19:38 of ice time, 5 shots and one big-time assist that had the Rangers dreaming of the possibilities.

"There are not many guys who can put up the points Marian does," said teammate Vinny Prospal. "He just has to stay healthy."

Said Tortorella after the game, "He did some really good things in our zone. He did some lousy things in our zone. That's going to take time. But he's going to add a dimension to our team with his creativity."

ETC: Rangers LW Sean Avery collided with teammate Ryan Callahan Monday at the team's morning skate. After Avery met with team doctors, Tortorella said, "He's going to be out for a little bit. I'm not sure yet how many days."

The Red Wings chartered to New York Monday, arriving at Madison Square Garden at 5:15 PM for the 7 PM game. The team flew home after the game and will do it all over again Tuesday, with as many as 15 different players making the afternoon trip to Philadelphia for a game against the Flyers. Monday's lineup included Detroit mainstays Pavel Datsyuk, Kirk Maltby, Valterri Filppula, Johan Franzen and Tomas Holmstrom.

Asked how veterans like Datsyuk and Holmstrom are able to motivate themselves for training camp after another long season that just ended in June, Red Wings assistant coach Brad McCrimmon said, "They just love the game. They love getting out on the ice, and their excitement and professionalism have a positive effect on our young players."

Tortorella had praise for Vinny Prospal, his former player in Tampa Bay who is now reunited with him in New York. "Vinny has been one of our best players," said the head coach, who added he may play Prospal at center. Prospal had a first period goal tonight.

2006 second round pick Artem Anisimov continues his push to make the Rangers. The 6-3 center from Russia was 37-44-81 in 80 games last season with Hartford (AHL) and has looked in camp like he belongs in the NHL. The debate for the Rangers will be whether the 21-year-old is better served by more time in the minors.

"We need to develop our own here," said Tortorella. "We have to be really careful with him. You don't want him playing three minutes some nights here when he can be playing 20 minutes every night in Hartford."

Anisimov scored an empty-net goal Monday.

While he said he "can't make any promises," Tortorella said it's a possibility the Rangers' roster could be pared down from 25 to 23 on Tuesday.