Rangers’ Avery is shelved

The 28-year-old suffered a lacerated spleen and will be hospitalized for a few days.

NEW YORK (AP) — If the New York Rangers are going to pull off one of sport’s biggest comebacks, they will have to do it without premier motor mouth Sean Avery.

The agitating forward will spend the next few days in the hospital after lacerating his spleen during Tuesday night’s loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins.

News of Avery’s hospitalization created quite a stir Wednesday, following a report that the 28-year-old had suffered a cardiac arrest and was not breathing when he arrived at the hospital.

“The first time I saw the news, it was really concerning,” said Detroit Red Wings captain Nicklas Lidstrom, Avery’s former teammate. “I heard cardiac arrest. We got [to practice] and heard ruptured spleen. It’s still a severe injury, but sounded a lot worse.”

Still, New York will be without Avery as the Rangers try to stave off elimination tonight at Madison Square Garden, stuck in a 3-0 series hole against Pittsburgh.

Avery was injured during Tuesday night’s 5-3 loss from a hit, possibly in the first period, but played throughout the game despite worsening pain.

He took seven shifts in the first period, five in the second, and seven in the third. He spent 4 minutes, 58 seconds on the ice in the final frame — only 10 seconds fewer than the first.

Rangers spokesman John Rosasco said Avery was evaluated at the arena, then rode in a car with team physician Dr. Andrew Feldman to St. Vincent’s Medical Center and walked in shortly after the game.

A CT scan revealed the lacerated spleen, the team said, and it didn’t require surgery. Rosasco said Avery is expected to make a full recovery.

The spleen is an organ about the size of a fist on the left side of the body, behind the stomach. It helps the body fight infection and filters the blood. A person can live without a spleen, although they lose some of their ability to fight infections.

“He was never in a life-threatening situation,” Rosasco said.

The Daily News first reported Avery had been hospitalized, quoting sources who said he was rushed to St. Vincent’s Medical Center in cardiac arrest and not breathing around 3 a.m.

“Not true,” Rangers coach Tom Renney said after practice. “Our medical people were quick to react to that and did a great job. On my way home I knew that he was on his way to the hospital, and I got home before 3 a.m.”

Avery’s mother, Marlene, told the Toronto Sun that Avery’s spleen had not ruptured, but he had internal bleeding. Michael Fagan, spokesman for St. Vincent’s, said the forward was in “stable” condition.

Although the Rangers know they will be without Avery as they try to extend their season, the status of centers Chris Drury and Blair Betts was unclear. Renney said Betts might have facial fractures after he was struck while blocking a shot in the second period.

Drury was hampered by a torso injury that also occurred in the middle frame.

“We’ll see how they’re doing [Thursday] morning as to whether or not they can participate,” Renney said.

Only two teams in NHL history have won a series after trailing 3-0 — the 1942 Toronto Maple Leafs in the finals versus Detroit, and the 1975 New York Islanders in the second round against Pittsburgh.

The Boston Red Sox won the 2004 AL championship series after falling behind the New York Yankees 3-0 in baseball’s greatest postseason comeback. No NBA team has accomplished the feat.

“Outside this room I don’t think there is many people who think we can turn it around,” Rangers captain Jaromir Jagr said. “But what’s important is that I think we do. I think because we have ∫nothing to lose, it makes us a very dangerous team.”