Sean Avery, seen here trying to get inside the head of Martin Brodeur in the opening round, is done for the season after suffering a lacerated spleen. (CP Images)
Call Sean Avery whatever you must - and it's safe to say that most have - but the nuisance on blades has figured out the New York Rangers best chance of taking out the New Jersey Devils in the opening round of the Stanley Cup playoffs.
Get inside the head of one Martin Brodeur as often as possible.
Avery's basketball defense-style standup routine Sunday night may be seen as hilarious by some, aggravating by others, but there is no doubt it is effective, even if the Devils clawed back into the series with an overtime win at MSG.
Count me in among those sick and tired of Avery's antics, but you've got to give credit where credit is due. Avery is doing his part to get the Rangers into the next round.
At this time of year, nothing else matters. There are no points for class or form. Just wins.
The act is bush-league, without doubt, and borders on unsportsmanlike, which, of course, will get you nothing but a snicker from Avery. A two-minute penalty to get Brodeur off his game? The Rangers will take that deal in, yes, a New York minute.
Brodeur has been anything but spectacular all series long and if you are wondering why, look no further than #16 in blue.
Since this series began, Avery has been in Brodeur's kitchen, getting so close to the future Hall of Famer that he can tell you what type of toothpaste Brodeur is using.
One of these times, the normally unflappable Brodeur is going to snap and take a retaliatory penalty. Even more importantly, Avery has attracted the undivided attention of every player on the Devils.
Of course, that is precisely what Avery is banking on.
Never mind Gomez, Lundqvist or Jagr. They are merely the supporting cast in this sideshow.
Sean Avery is the main reason the Rangers are one-upping the Devils.