Rangers' Playoff Report: Notes on Gaborik, Callahan, Kreider and Dubinsky The Rangers were without two key players Monday for the first practice in preparation for their first round Stanley Cup playoff series with Ottawa. Marian Gaborik, the team's leading goal scorer with 41, was sidelined with the flu. Team captain Ryan Callahan, who scored 29 goals, was out for what the team termed "personal reasons." After practice at the M.S.G. Training facility in Greenburgh, N.Y., Rangers Coach John Tortorella said he did not have any concerns that Gaborik and Callahan would be gone from the team for long terms. Since Game 1 of the series is not until Thursday night at Madison Square Garden, the absence of Gaborik and Callahan for one or two days should not be a concern for the club. There could be an intriguing arrival this week, however. Chris Kreider, the Rangers" first round pick in 2009, is expected to see his entry level contract finalized in the next 24 hours. If General Manager Glen Sather and Kreider's representative, Matt Keator, can reach an agreement by Monday night, Kreider could join the Rangers at practice Tuesday morning. For Kreider to have a chance at making his case for playing time in the first round, participating in two days of practice before the series opener would seem to be necessary. On Saturday, Kreider won the N.C.A.A. championship with Boston College by defeating Ferris State in what was likely his final game as a collegian. Whether Kreider is able to contribute this postseason or not, Tortorella is counting on a renaissance for Brandon Dubinsky, who was the Rangers" best player in their first round loss a year ago to the Capitals, but scored only 10 goals this season. "He cares," Tortorella said of Dubinsky. He wants to help the team. He is very important to this team and he can help us get to the next level. Dubinsky's name was the one constant in the rumors of the Rangers" package in a potential deal for Rick Nash. Trade negotiations could resume this summer, but Dubinsky has an opportunity to prove why he should stay and why the Rangers do not need to acquire another star scorer. Dubinsky said he had "high hopes" for a strong playoff, which he viewed as "a clean slate" after a regular season he has called a "nightmare" on a few occasions.