"Steve Eminger has the medical clearance to return to the Rangers' lineup after being sidelined for the last 19 games with a separated shoulder, but coach John Tortorella said yesterday he "isn't sure" whether he'll restore the defenseman to active duty for tomorrow afternoon's Atlantic Division showdown against the Flyers at the Garden.

"I'll see how it is after [today's] practice, but I'm pretty close and could possibly play [tomorrow}," said Eminger — who sustained the injury on Dec. 17 in Phoenix when run into the boards by Martin Hanzal — before Tortorella revealed trainer Jim Ramsay had cleared No. 44. "My shooting is 100 percent and the pain is fine.

"It just comes down to strength, but in my conditioning the weights have gotten heavier, so that's a good sign."

Eminger had been a staple on the blue line for the Rangers, averaging 13:47 before going down in the first period of that match in the desert. Indeed, he had moved up to right side on the second pair with Michael Del Zotto after Michael Sauer was sidelined with a concussion Dec. 5.

"The guys have been playing great, but it gets tough to watch after a while," Eminger said. "I've never had a negative attitude and it's exciting to be around the guys again and in the room after games, but you want to be a part of the winning.""