AA Batteries

battery [bat-uh-ree]

1. a combination of two or more cells electronically connected to work together to produce electric energy.

7. intentional infliction upon the body of another of a harmful contact.

12. any imposing group of persons or things acting or directed in unison.

Antropov.  Avery.  The combination has truly been magical thus far for New York.  The Garden hasn't been as loud as it was Sunday afternoon in a long time.  The fans saluted both players with cheers throughout the game as they were instrumental in the demolishing of the Philadelphia Flyers.  Unfortunately for the Rangers, the result the afternoon before was not as favorable.  Their quest for the post-season continues, and I believe it is safe to say the acquisitions of Nik Antropov and Sean Avery are the biggest reason why this team has been able to stay in the mix.

In six games so far, Avery has four goals and five points.  He's also drawn several penalties, leading to power play goals for his team, and has managed to get under the skin of some key players.  Case in point, Flyers stars Jeff Carter and Mike Richards became non-factors yesterday after run-ins with the most hated man in hockey.  Antropov has five points as well, three of them goals, and has looked dangerous in all situations playing on a line with the over-paid Chris Drury and under-appreciated Brandon Dubinsky.

These guys are high impact players.  It's as simple as that.  They aren't Datsyuk and Zetterberg or Ovechkin and Semin, but they're difference makers.  And since they have been summoned to the same dressing room, their teammates have developed a new respect for them and their opponents have been instilled with a sense of fear.  Lining up against a Ranger team is a much more daunting task today than it was two weeks ago.  It's all good in New York folks.  For now, that is.