NY Rangers (18-10-2) at Atlanta (9-14-3) 7:00 p.m. EST
ATLANTA (Ticker) -- A recent goal-scoring drought has brought
the New York Rangers back to the pack in the Atlantic Division.
They will look to break out offensively against the NHL's worst
defensive team, the Atlanta Thrashers, on Wednesday.
New York has lost three of its last four (1-3-0), with the lone
win coming a week ago in a 3-2 shootout victory over Pittsburgh.
The Rangers have managed just four goals in regulation in their
last four contests, including a pair of shutout losses.
Despite holding a 31-20 edge in shots on goal, New York fell to
Calgary, 3-0, in its last game on Sunday.
The Rangers raced to the Atlantic Division lead thanks to 10-2-1
start However, they are just 8-8-1 since the beginning of
November, allowing the likes of Pittsburgh, Philadelphia and New
Jersey to narrow the gap.
Atlanta, which sits just one point ahead of Tampa Bay for the
worst record in the NHL, is coming off a breakout offensive
performance that halted another lengthy losing streak.
Ilya Kovalchuk recorded a goal and three assists as the
Thrashers ended a five-game skid (0-4-1) with a 5-1 win over the
Islanders on Saturday.
The Thrashers have lost four straight at home.
Both teams have struggled on the power play over their last five
games, with New York converting just 1-of-19 and Atlanta scoring
on 2-of-24 opportunities.