Release from the New York Rangers:

• The Rangers were defeated by the Bruins, 2-1, at Madison Square Garden in their opening game of the 2009-2010 pre-season schedule.
• Steve Valiquette started the game in net for the Rangers, stopping 18 of 19 shots in 31:17 of icetime.
• Matt Zaba replaced Valiquette in net during the second period, and turned aside 15 of 16 shots in 28:36 of icetime.
• Christopher Higgins notched the Rangers' first goal of the pre-season with an even strength tally at 10:05 of the third period; he finished with two shots on goal in 15:24 of icetime.
• Forward Ales Kotalik collected an assist on Higgins' third period goal in his Rangers debut, and finished the contest with three shots in 15:20 of icetime.
• Ryan Callahan tied for the game-high with six shots on net in 13:25 of icetime.
• Artem Anisimov, the Rangers' second round choice (54^th overall) in 2006, won a team-high, nine of 16 faceoffs (56%) in 17:50 of icetime.
• Defenseman Alexei Semenov tallied the primary assist on Christopher Higgins' third period goal, and logged 17:42 of icetime.
• Marc Staal logged a team-high, 21:23 of icetime; he also registered two shots and delivered two hits on the night.
• Dan Girardi and Michael Del Zotto tied for the team-lead with three hits in the contest.
• The Ranges return to action tomorrow, September 16, when they will face-off against the New Jersey Devils at the Prudential Center (7:00 p.m.), in their second of four games in five nights; the game will be televised live on MSG.

Post Game Quotes after the jump!

POST-GAME QUOTES

John Tortorella ...

 "As the game went on there were some good things. I don't want to name names because I may forget someone but as the game went on I thought we played well. We switched the lines around a little and I think everyone contributed."

John Tortorella on Christopher Higgins...

"I thought he was one of our strongest players on the puck, especially in the second half of the game. If we're going to be a good team and a competitive team, he needs to be a goal-scorer for us, he needs to be a penalty killer for us, he needs to be a top six forward for us and he needs to accept responsibility for that. Tonight was a good sign."

Christopher Higgins...

"I think we were a little slow to start. I think that was a byproduct of all of the conditioning we were doing. Guys were a little bit tired but I think you saw the product of that as the game went along. We played a little bit better. We want to keep the pressure on teams, wear them down. We didn't get the second goal tonight but that is what we are looking to do."

Matt Gilroy...

"It was good. First period was a little shaky. In the beginning it was kind of hard to find my spots defensively but towards the end I got into a little bit of a rhythm."

Matt Gilroy on playing in MSG and hearing the Star Spangled Banner...

"I definitely got chills, and to hear that first ‘goal' song go off was pretty cool too. It was my first taste of this and I want a lot more."