The Silly Game Outside the Game

You're not an asshole. You're just trying so hard to be.

That little gem, which comes as the final piece of dialog in "The Social Network," pretty much sums up my feelings about Rangers Coach John Tortorella and his handling of reporters during these playoffs.

Yes, it is considered to be part of the job to meet with reporters after emotional moments like a 3-2 loss to the Devils on Wednesday night. And he has fulfilled that requirement. But it does not say he has to be forthcoming with them. He doesn't have to improve upon his "I didn't get my ice cream" facial expression. Nor does he have to tell reporters/readers/viewers anything of substance.

In fact, he has given headline writers and reporters the perfect opening to state, in small and large type or pixels, that Tortorella has no answers for the Devils or for his team's play. That may be true, or not. The whole thing is nothing but a sideshow. And it helps deflect some of the heat off of the Rangers. Instead of large headlines and extended video time on Marian Gaborik's inability to be a star in critical situations, we get pouty reporting on why Tortorella will not tell us anything about Gaborik.

That sort of thing gets tired after a while. Enough already. On the "NHL Tonight" final late Wednesday, Craig Button said it was time for Tortorella to let someone else come out and talk with reporters. Stop the sideshow.

And Dave Shoalts of the Globe and Mail offered a meandering defense, or perhaps a non-explanation explanation, of the coach in these stressful times known as the Stanley Cup playoffs.

Tortorella's main priority is getting his message to his players. If his players can translate that message into positive results, then the fans will notice as will reporters. But the fans, reporters and bloggers are not his immediate concern. I would be nice if they/we were, but whatever. I can settle for getting answers from another precinct.

At the end of "The Social Network," the lawyer Marylin Delpy, played by the actress Rashida Jones, is trying to be sympathetic to the Mark Zuckerberg character, played by Jesse Eisenberg, who is told that he will have to pay a settlement for his actions during the formative years of Facebook. Mark feels this is an injustice; Marilyn says that in the big picture, it's an annoying speeding ticket.

Maybe that's the lesson for all of us. Tortorella should be more conversational and less confrontational. Petulant reporters should not provide daily word counts (yes, you, ESPN.com. You're better than that) regarding just how reticent the Rangers' coach is. And maybe if we all settle down, lower our figurative fists and concentrate on the game, and not the post-game scrum, we'll get our focus back.

We're not outraged. We're just trying so hard to be.