Avery Returns to Rangers, Again, While Tortorella Is Suspended

Sean Avery is back in the New York Rangers' lineup, according to the New York Times. He was suspended by Rangers coach John Tortorella, who was suspended after the game Avery missed.

Avery was scratched after a rash of penalties. Tortorella scratched Avery from his lineup for Game 5 of the Rangers' series with the Capitals, a game the Rangers lost, 4-0.
Tortorella was not behind the bench for Game 6 of their first-round playoff series with the Washington Capitals.

Rangers coach John Tortorella missed the game at Madison Square Garden as the National Hockey League suspended him for one game for squirting a fan with water and throwing a water bottle that struck a fan in the third period of Game 5 of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinal Series with the Washington Capitals in Washington.

Tortorella was replaced by the Rangers assistant coach, Jim Schoenfeld, who was the last NHL coach suspended for a game in the playoffs. Schoenfeld earned his in the 1988 playoffs when he called referee Don Koharski a "fat pig". 

He yelled, famously, "Have another doughnut! Have another doughnut!"

According to Washington Post blogger Tarik El-Bashir, Tortorella had to leave the Rangers dressing room by noon and cannot have any contact with the team, electronic or otherwise, during the game.

He was permitted to address his players prior to 12 p.m., but, according to assistant Jim Schoenfeld, Tortorella chose not to.

Tortorella is permitted to remain in the building during the game. Avery watched the Rangers game in Washington and said he agreed with his coach's decision to sit him out for the game, according to Pierre LeBrun on ESPN.

Avery rejoined the Rangers earlier this year after things didn't work out with the Dallas Stars. The Rangers are 69-30-19 with Avery in the lineup since he was acquired in 2007 and 41-38-11 without him.