Rangers Watch: NYR 3, TOR 2 (SO)

It was Sean Avery night at the Air Canada Centre. In case you missed his Gordie Howe hat trick, you can see the highlights here. I particularly like where Avery acted like he'd been shot after a sucker love tap from Mark Bell.

Stephen Valiquette had been doing his best Scott Clemmenson imitation all week and was rewarded with his first start of the season. Valiquette came out from behind King Henrik's shadow, stoning the Leafs in the shootout and earning New York their first road victory. Even sweeter, it was in his hometown.

Unlike last year, when the Rangers painfully squandered a number of two-goal leads, they were able to hold on and get both points. Call it the Mark Messier effect. (He and fellow HHOF inductees Ron Francis, Scott Stevens and Al McInnis were on hand.) If Mess' mere presence can inspire the team, maybe Slats can get him to go on the road with them more often.

Recaps: Y!/AP, TSN Broadband