Brian Boyle

Tuukka Rask of the Boston Bruins winces as he squirts water on his face against the New York Rangers in Game Four of the Eastern Conference Semifinals during the 2013 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Madison Square Garden on May 23, 2013 in New York City. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)

Bruins’ Goalie Tuukka Rask Looking To Rebound Against Rangers In Game 5

Rask has the opportunity to close out the series in Game 5 on home ice at TD Garden.

2013/05/24

John Tortorella (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images)

Hartnett: Character, Rather Than Skill, Defines Tortorella’s Resilient Rangers

The Blueshirts are very far from being a perfect hockey club – but they’re even further from being branded as a common, run-of-the-mill team.

2013/05/24

Derick Brassard, left, and Brian Boyle of the New York Rangers celebrate Boyle’s goal in the third period against the Boston Bruins during Game 4 of the Eastern Conference semifinals at Madison Square Garden on May 23, 2013. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)

Kreider Keeps Rangers’ Season Alive, Scores Overtime Winner In Game 4

Chris Kreider steered in a pass from Rick Nash 7:03 into overtime, and the New York Rangers stayed alive in the Stanley Cup playoffs with a 4-3 victory over the Boston Bruins on Thursday night.

2013/05/24

Henrik Lundqvist (Photo by Paul Bereswill/Getty Images)

Hartnett: Superhuman Lundqvist Carries Rangers On His Back Into Game 7

While Henrik Lundqvist was superman between the pipes, Derek Dorsett threw the Caps off their game with his agitation and intimidation.

2013/05/13

The Capitals’ Alex Ovechkin, middle, is sandwiched by the Rangers’ Ryan McDonagh, left, and Anton Stralman during Game 5 of the Eastern Conference quarterfinals on May 10, 2013 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Greg Fiume/Getty Images)

Ribeiro Stuns Rangers In Overtime, Gives Capitals 3-2 Series Lead

Mike Ribeiro scored 9:24 into overtime, and the Washington Capitals beat the New York Rangers 2-1 Friday night to regain the momentum – and the lead – in their first-round playoff series.

2013/05/10

Brad Richards #19 of the New York Rangers skates against the Washington Capitals in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)

Determined Rangers Looking To Even Series With Caps At MSG

While the Capitals stayed off the ice on Tuesday to recover, the Rangers held a full practice. They were without forward Rick Nash, who was given a “maintenance day,” and Darroll Powe, who was injured on Monday and is unlikely to play in Game 4.

2013/05/08

Brian Boyle #22 of the New York Rangers (C) celebrates his first-period goal against the Washington Capitals along with Mats Zuccarello #36 (R) and Dan Girardi #5 (L) in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)

Monzo: 3 Thoughts From Game 3 Of Rangers-Capitals, And Other Blueshirts Notes

The Rangers did a lot of good things and struggled in other areas. Here are three things I took from Monday night — good and bad.

2013/05/07

Derick Brassard #16 of the New York Rangers celebrates his power-play goal at 1:23 of the second period in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)

Hartnett: Rangers Prove Mettle In Game 3, Riding Wave Of Confidence

In Game 3, the Rangers finally resembled the team that finished the regular season strongly, a team that no division-winner wants any part of.

2013/05/07

Braden Holtby of the Washington Capitals. (Photo by Greg Fiume/Getty Images)

‘The Other Guy’ Braden Holtby Is Looking To Outperform Rangers’ Lundqvist

Less-heralded Braden Holtby is looking to continue outperforming Henrik Lundqvist as the series shifts to Madison Square Garden.

2013/05/05

Brian Boyle of the Rangers. (credit: Richard Wolowicz/Getty Images)

Boyle Returns For Rangers, Dorsett Debuts Under Playoff Spotlight

Brian Boyle and Derek Dorsett were inserted into the Rangers’ lineup for Game 2 of the Eastern Conference quarterfinals.

2013/05/04

Derek Stepan (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)

After Breakout Season, Rising Star Derek Stepan Has Eyes On Stanley Cup Playoffs

After quickly dismissing a question regarding the health and status of key defenseman Marc Staal, by saying there was no update regarding his eye injury, Tortorella became engaged when asked about rising star Derek Stepan.

2013/05/01

Chris Kreider (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)

Hartnett: Rangers’ Kreider Given Chance To Force Himself Into Tortorella’s Plans

After being yo-yoed between Madison Square Garden and Connecticut for much of the season, the 21-year-old Kreider will be given the chance to force his way back into John Tortorella’s plans following the indefinite loss of forward Brian Boyle.

2013/04/18

Ryan Callahan and Brad Richards of the New York Rangers. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)

Hartnett: Heart-On-Sleeve Mentality Will Carry Rangers Into Playoffs

Question the collective talent of this team? Go ahead, be my guest. That’s entirely fair. Question their collective desire? That’s a different story altogether.

2013/04/17