Torts not concerned that Gabs, Cally miss practice

Torts not concerned that Gabs, Cally miss practice

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You better believe Rangers Ryan Callahan (l.) and Marian Gaborik will be on the ice Thursday.

When designated scratches Jeff Woywitka and John Scott are practicing as top-six right wings, you know someones missing.

Thats how the Rangers plugged the holes created by the unexpected absences of Marian Gaborik (flu) and Ryan Callahan (personal reasons) from Mondays first p layoff practice in Greenburgh.

John Tortorella wasnt worried about the availability of his leading scorer or his captain, though later Brad Richards even replaced Callahan in his scheduled afternoon appearance on an NHL/NBC conference call promoting the playoffs.

The specific reason for Callahans absence is unknown. The good news is it has nothing to do with an injury.

Getting Gaborik healthy for Game 1 at the Garden against the Ottawa Senators Thursday night, meanwhile, is a necessity. In addition to leading the Rangers with 41 goals and 76 points, he also was their top weapon (three goals, two assists) in four meetings with the Senators, whose open-ice style plays into the strengths of the Slovakian winger.

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Crucial also to the Rangers first-round result will be the contributions of Derek Stepan, who spoke for the first time since Thursdays knee-to-knee hit from Penguins defenseman Broo ks Orpik and said he was relieved that the injury wasnt more serious.

I think I got real lucky, Stepan said. It could have been a lot worse. Im just happy to be where Im at now and being able to continue to play.

The 21-year-old center did not miss a game after the hit, playing 20 minutes in Saturday nights regular-season finale against the Capitals. He is still icing his right knee since there is a bit of lingering soreness and stiffness but said, Its nothing I couldnt play through.