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Coach, Pray, Score? Not so much, says Tortorella

Wednesday, 05.23.2012 / 1:05 PM

By Dave Lozo - NHL.com Staff Writer / Rangers vs. Devils series blog

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Rangers vs. Devils series blog
Coach, Pray, Score? Not so much, says Tortorella

NEW YORK -- If you lit a candle at Our Lady of the Struggling Rangers Goal Scorers, chances are coach John Tortorella thinks you've taken his statement from Tuesday a bit too far.

Following a brief practice, Tortorella was asked what he can do in order to get his best offensive players to play better in the Eastern Conference Finals against the New Jersey Devils. His one-word answer: "Pray."

On Wednesday morning, Tortorella used his time with the media to clarify his suggestion that he was turning to a higher power to get players like Marian Gaborik, Ryan Callahan, Brad Richards and Carl Hagelin going before Game 5 of this series.

"I know I used that word 'pray' yesterday," Tortorella said. "It was a joke. There are a lot more important things to pray about than a win or a goal.  So can I clear that up, please?"

Gaborik and Hagelin don't have a point in the series, Richards hasn't scored a goal and Callahan's only goal was of the empty-net variety in Game 3. With the series tied 2-2, time is running out of those players to get themselves going, but Tortorella has, for a lack of a better word, faith they can turn it around.

"I have total confidence in our guys," Tortorella said.  "It's a great opportunity for us and I'm looking forward to it."

Follow Dave Lozo on Twitter: @DaveLozo


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