So, you have been waiting for New York Rangers coach John Tortorella to open up to the media and give more than clipped, two or three word answers. Well, Sunday Tortorella opened up big-time. The reason? New Jersey Devils coach Peter DeBoer claiming that Brandon Prust of the Rangers was “head-hunting” when he hit Anton Volchenkov in Game 3 of the NHL Eastern Conference Finals.
“Prust has played probably 300‑plus games without any hearing, anything going on with him. He’s probably one of the most honest players,” Tortorella said Sunday.
The Rangers coach was just warming up.
“I look at Zubrus’ elbow to Stralman. I look at Parise launching himself at Del Zotto. Maybe if our players stayed down on the ice, we’ll get something.
“We tell our players don’t stay down on the ice. Get up. I hope ‑ I’ll leave it at that. Picking on the power play, set plays, picking on the power play,”Tortorella said. “If we want to start discussing officials with the media, I have a long list here. That’s a set play by Jersey. Picking so we can’t get to Kovalchuk to block a shot.”
Prust has a hearing today with the NHL regarding the hit. No word has yet come down as to whether or not he will play in Game 4 on Monday night.