NEW YORK _ The trade of enforcer Cody McLeod on Wednesday _ the Rangers sent him back to the Nashville Predators, from whom the Rangers claimed him on waivers just over a year ago _ was a relatively minor transaction. After all, McLeod played on the fourth line, didn't get much ice time, and had only contributed one goal and no assists in 31 games this season.
But the deal had the feel of the beginning of the end for this group, as it figures to be the first of several that will be completed before the Feb. 25 trade deadline. Free agents-to-be Mats Zuccarello, Kevin Hayes, Adam McQuaid _ and who knows who else _ could be leaving New York soon, and more youngsters such as Vinni Lettieri, called up to take McLeod's place on the roster, could be on the way in.
And so with all that hanging over them, the Rangers hosted the Boston Bruins on Wednesday night in the third game of their five-game homestand. The Rangers were looking for their first win on the homestand, and they got it when Tony DeAngelo, the seventh shooter for the Rangers, roofed a forehand shot over Jaroslav Halak to give them a 4-3 shootout win. David Krejci missed his attempt to tie it.
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