NEW YORK — Rangers forward Sean Avery was released from the hospital this morning, five days after suffering a season-ending spleen injury in a playoff game.

Avery was in intensive care at St. Vincent's Medical Center from the time he was admitted Tuesday night, shortly after New York's Game 3 loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins, until Saturday because of a lacerated spleen, Rangers spokesman John Rosasco said.

He left the hospital one day later, just hours before the Rangers took the ice in Pittsburgh to try to extend their season without him.

The 28-year-old agitating winger is believed to have been injured during the early portion of Tuesday night's 5-3 loss at Madison Square Garden. Avery 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.

Regardless of how far the Rangers advance in the playoffs, Avery's season is over. New York entered Sunday's road game trailing Pittsburgh 3-1 in the best-of-seven series. The Rangers kept it going with a 3-0 win Thursday night.

The Rangers were 33-14-10 with Avery during the regular season and 9-13-3 when he was out with injuries. He was acquired from Los Angeles in February 2007 and sparked a playoff run in which the Rangers went 17-6-6 in games he played.