Dylan McIlrath in; Derick Brassard and Rick Nash to face old team; Dubinsky fired up to play at MSG

The Rangers practiced on Wednesday ahead of Thursday night's game against Rangers South Columbus, and it was a busy day for the Blueshirts on and off the ice. Here are your morning notes.

Suffice to say, the Rangers need some kind of spark, or something to shake things up, and on Tuesday, the team recalled rugged defenseman Dylan McIllrath from Hartford. [Blueshirt Banter] The number 10 overall pick in the 2010 Draft will get his first sniff at NHL action, and, to give you an idea of what he'll bring, the 6-foot-5 bruiser racked up 115 penalty minutes in the 24 AHL games he's appeared in this season.

Derick Brassard (sore butt... I swear) missed practice Wednesday but should be in the lineup Thursday night for the game against the Blue Jackets. The game against Columbus will mark the first time both Brassard and Nash will face their former club. [Rangers Rants]

Ahead of Thursday night's rematch against his former teammates, Nash isn't thinking about the reunion. [ESPN NY]

Some really interesting (and good) stuff from Brandon Dubinsky, who is making his first return to Madison Square Garden since being traded to Columbus. [The Dispatch] Reading that kind of stuff really makes me miss a guy like Dubinsky, who epitomizes the idea of "tough to play against," something the Rangers have missed.

With injuries and adversity staring them in the face, the Rangers are being tested. [NY Post]

It's been difficult for him to make a good impression on his new coach, but with Marc Staal sidelined, and more minutes up for grabs, Michael Del Zotto has an opportunity to make his mark. [Rangers Rants]

Here at the Banter, we try to preach patience as a worthwhile virtue. But plain and simple, this is getting ugly. [Blueshirt Banter]

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