Higgins Moving to Center; Parenteau to Wing

Andrew Gross of Ranger Rants confirms that the reason for the recalling of forward P.A. Parenteau from Hartford is so that head coach John Tortorella will be able to move Chris Higgins to the center position on the second line, and have a capable left wing replace him in Parenteau. Also, the Rangers sent down Dane Byers, as Torts felt that he needed a more offensively skilled forward that can play in different situations, something that Byers talent level is not yet up to, or never will be for that matter.

Now the Blueshirts have all three center positions filled with Drury and Dubinsky out on injury, and Brian Boyle will now move down to the fourth line after he lost eight of ten face-offs taken last night against Atlanta. This will see the 6-7 Boyle in between Donald Brashear and Aaron Voros, the original fourth line from the beginning of the season. Prospal will remain in the middle of Gaborik and Lisin, with Anisimov playing third line with Callahan and Avery.

Parenteau on the Call-Up.....

"It’s the same emotion for me,” Parenteau said. “I’m glad I could come back so quickly after getting sent down. I talked to Torts quite a bit and he said keep doing what you’re doing and that’s what I did."

I like the idea of calling up Parenteau, as the two games he did take part in earlier in the season, he was exceptional and skated very well. This included his first career NHL goal against the Islanders. For a player that was recalled just a day before the game and has limited knowledge of Tortorella's system, he was very impressive in the contest against the Islanders and made all of the right decisions.

Gross also spoke with Lundqvist concerning his miscommunication with Michal Rozsival on the Evander Kane goal.

“I should have left that one,” said Lundqvist, who, instead, tried to shoot the puck up the right boards, only to have the clearing attempt stopped and sent in front for Kane.” I thought I had the wall but Rozsy was right behind me. He screamed for me at the same time I fired it.”

Lundqvist's puck-playing abilities are obviously not the greatest in the league, and more times than not result in a turnover. Playing the puck while his team is on the powerplay is one thing, because there really is not much pressure from the opposition and the offense wants to re-gain the zone as quickly as possible, but at even strength, he should let his more than capable defensemen clear the zone and concentrate himself on stopping pucks within the crease, not outside of it.

Still no word on whether or not Lundqvist will be in net tomorrow afternoon in Ottawa, but I would put my money on Hank getting his second straight start after coming off of an injury earlier this week.
(Image courtesy of AP Photo)