Chris Higgins, benched for third period and OT of Saturday’s 5-4 defeat in Montreal, and whose status was left in doubt yesterday by head coach John Tortorella, will retain his spot in the lineup tonight the Rangers meet the Coyotes at the Garden.

“Higgy’s had a litle bit of a rough ride, but I think you have to give a player the chance to answer,” Tortorella said following the morning skate. “I’m anxious to see how he answers.”

Higgins, who has failed to score in the Rangers’ first 11 games, will start on a line with Brandon Dubinsky (also benched during the game in Montreal) and Ryan Callahan.

Donald Brashear, meanwhile will rejoin the lineup after missing the previous two games with an upper body issue. Brashear’s return will bump Aaron Voros into street clothes.

“I think Donald can add something to this team, not only in the role everyone sees him in, but can contribute in other ways over the long haul,” the coach said. “AV [Voros] is out not because of his play, but because of numbers.

“I told him, ‘That’s the world you live in.'”