Lineup News: Biron Starts; Girardi Out, Del Zotto In; Prust Game-time Decision

Following a crazy last couple hours of differing impressions and information surrounding the New York Rangers lineup for tonight against Washington it appears to be somewhat sorted out.

The morning started with Prust missing practice and Girardi being out there leading to thoughts of Prust sitting and Girardi being in.  By the time practice was over it was said that Prust is a game time decision while Girardi is out of the lineup tonight. That flip in thinking typifies what the mass confusion was over an hour.

Prust says he's good to play tonight and he sat out skate to rest for the game.  Too bad he did not do an Allen Iverson, "We talking about practice," number. Prust also talked about tremendous theory on playing and pain. All I can say about Prust playing tonight is what I said in this morning’s story about him; warrior.

If Prust plays the decision will come down to Grachev or Dupont for final spot.

On defense there is no word on the combinations, but there were plenty of quotes from Torts on Michael Del Zotto making it clear that he is only here because of injury and not because they feel he is ready to be back. 

I would pair Staal-Sauer; McDonagh-Gilroy; Del Zotto-Eminger for the game as those are in order the way they have played in my opinion.

With all the attention on updates over Girardi and Prust injuries/availability for tonight’s game, the most surprising news of the morning had to be Martin Biron getting the start tonight.  Biron has been excellent and Tortorella cited not wanting to use Henrik five games in seven days, but there were other games (Toronto) that would have been better for Lundqvist to sit.  It is assumes that Lundqvist will go tomorrow against Florida.

Funniest quote of the morning came from Derek Stepan when asked by Jesse Spector about the cut near his eye and the hit from Nik Antropov, “You remember, when I almost died?" Classic.

Not that they matter much now, but here is how the lines looked during practice from Jesse Spector:

Avery-Anisimov-Gaborik
Wolski-Stepan-Zuccarello
Grachev-Boyle-Kolarik
Drury-Newbury-Dupont

Staal-Girardi
Gilroy-Sauer
McDonagh-Eminger