There was no immediate word on when Avery would be released, Rangers spokesman John Rosasco said. The rugged winger had been in intensive care since he was injured Tuesday night, with doctors waiting for internal bleeding to stop. That occurred Thursday.

Avery, 28, arrived at St. Vincent's Medical Center after New York's Game 3 playoff loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins on Tuesday. The forward is believed to have been injured during the early portion of the game but played despite increasing pain.

Regardless of how far the Rangers advance in the playoffs, Avery's season is over. New York trails Pittsburgh in the best-of-seven series three games to one with Game 5 slated for this afternoon.

Friday's late game

DALLAS - Frustrating enough for the Dallas Stars was blowing a two-goal lead.

They don't even want to imagine the possibility of a more historic letdown. And they don't want to go back to San Jose.

Dallas is back home tonight for Game 6 - and a third chance to close out its Western Conference semifinal series against the Sharks.

"We need to lock things up, clean it up, go home and win a game," Stars captain Brenden Morrow said. "Every game we lose, we give them more life, but I like our position better than theirs."

Since falling into a three-games-to-none series hole, San Jose has avoided elimination twice. The Sharks overcame a 2-0 deficit heading into the third period of Game 5 on Friday night and won on Joe Pavelski's goal 65 seconds into overtime.

"We're not down or disappointed. They made a great shot," Stars goalie Marty Turco said. "We knew it wasn't going to be easy, and it certainly wasn't easy. My only concern is keep pushing forward and give our home fans another series win at home."