"The Rangers passed their midseason test yesterday against the defending Stanley Cup champions, you bet they did, but the 3-2 overtime victory over the Bruins at TD Garden in the battle for first place overall may have come with a heavy price tag.

The severity of the injury to Ryan McDonagh, who was plowed into the rear wall head-and-shoulder first by Andrew Ference at 1:50 of overtime and remained on the ice for several minutes while attended to by trainer Jim Ramsay, was unknown immediately following the match the Blueshirts captured when Marian Gaborik converted from in front on the resulting major power play with 3.6 seconds to play.

Rangers coach John Tortorella, whose team already has endured the pain of losing Marc Staal for the first 36 games with a concussion and has now gone the last 22 games without the concussed Michael Sauer, left no doubt he believes Ference should be suspended for the reckless play on a chase for the puck down the left side.

"It's one of the most dangerous plays I've seen in a while," Tortorella said after what had been a terrific contest. "Nothing has to be said as far as what should be done but it's a pretty easy call as far as I'm concerned.""