Five Rangers, Ryan Callahan, Chris Drury, Marian Gaborik, Olli Jokinen and Henrik Lundqvist will head off to the Olympics and represent their respective countries in their chase for the gold medal.

Joining Callahan and Drury on Team USA is Rangers head coach John Tortorella who will assist Ron Wilson on the bench. While some people think that Tortorella could use the break to rest and prepare for the playoff push, he disagrees

“I don’t play the game,” said John Tortorella, who will be one of two assistant coaches for Team USA. “These guys here that go through the travel and the grinding, they’re the ones that need the break. The important thing for our guys is to make sure that the break is after that Tampa game (Sunday) and not look too forward. It’s an important time for us, these next three games.” After the Tampa game, Tortorella said he knows how he will schedule himself in Vancouver, but again referenced young players like Michael Del Zotto, who he said needs a “mental break to refresh.”

Read more on this at Newsday.

…This break is going to be key for Del Zotto, Matt Gilroy, Vinny Prospal and Brandon Dubinsky as they must all continue to play key roles for the team after the break. Torts, not so much, its probably best for him to stay involved over the break, but I do think its good that he won’t be as Ranger centric with it. Maybe being with this team could give him some idea or clear his mind for after the break.