New York Rangers head coach John Tortorella announced just hours before the Rangers game tonight against the Florida Panthers (7:30 p.m., TV: MSG) that Erik Christensen would return to the lineup and might even see time on the second power power play unit. Christensen has missed the past eight games as a healthy scratch. Sean Avery will be a healthy scratch tonight to make room for Christensen.
Tortorella explained the situation:
"Sean played some good games for us when he came up, but I think it's leveled off," explained Tortorella. "But to be fair to him, I haven't put him on the ice so it's awfully difficult to play that way. I have other players doing the things I need done in situations that Sean is just not getting involved in. I want to give Erik another chance, and also the shootout is a situation where we have struggled (and where Christensen could help)." (via Blueshirts United.com)
Christensen has one goal and four points in 16 appearances this season.
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