Redden benched, will he remain a Ranger?

Though it is impossible to predict general manager Glen Sather’s next move, last night’s benching of Wade Redden just 2:05 into the second period makes it likely that the Blueshirts will recall a defenseman from Hartford for the three-game western tour that begins with a game in Phoenix on Saturday.

Redden, who was scratched twice the middle of last month, never got on the ice again after his blunder contributed to the Sergei Samsonov deflection at 2:05 that gave Carolina a 3-1 lead, just 41 seconds after Ryan Callahan had scored for the Rangers.

It was a killer from which the Blueshirts never came close to recovering.

“It was my decision,” coach John Tortorella said following the Rangers’ 5-1 loss at the Garden. “I don’t want to say more.”

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