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Panthers host Rangers in homestand finale

Nov 26, 2010 - 4:20 PM (Sports Network) - The Florida Panthers will try to salvage the final contest of a three-game homestand this evening as they welcome the New York Rangers to BankAtlantic Center.

The Panthers have lost four of their last six overall, including the first two contests of this residency. After dropping a one-goal game to Pittsburgh on Monday, Florida was dealt a 3-1 setback by Boston, allowing three third-period goals to lose for the first time in nine games this season when leading after two periods.

Steven Reinprecht had the lone Florida goal and Tomas Vokoun made 34 saves as his club fell to 5-4-0 at home this season.

"Sometimes it's pretty boring and painful to play in games like this, when you don't get many chances to score," said Panthers forward Chris Higgins. "We need to somehow keep generating scoring chances."

Both Jason Garrison (lower body) and Bryan Allen (broken foot) are questionable for tonight's game. Forwards Steve Bernier (orbital bone surgery) and Rostislav Olesz (broken finger) were placed on injured reserve on Wednesday.

The Rangers play the middle contest of a three-game road trip tonight and began the stand with a 5-3 setback at Tampa Bay. New York trailed by five goals after two periods, getting outshot 25-7 in that span en route to its third loss in five games.

"We have to play a full 60 minutes," Rangers forward Brandon Dubinsky said. "We played terrible. If we would have played like we did in the third that was the game plan we drew up. That's what we wanted to do at the beginning of the game"

Steve Eminger, Brian Boyle and Derek Stepan each scored during the third period for the Rangers, who are 7-4-0 on the road.

Henrik Lundqvist matched a season high with five goals allowed while facing 34 shots. He was playing for the first time in three games after getting pulled early in a loss to the Avalanche last Friday and is just 1-4-0 over his last five starts with a 3.74 goals-against average.

Lundqvist is 10-5-1 with a 1.89 GAA in his career versus the Panthers and the Rangers will stick with him in net tonight even though Martin Biron won both games during Lundqvist's brief benching, stopping 57-of-60 shots faced.

The Rangers have won three straight over the Panthers and three of their last four trips to Sunrise.

Vokoun is 7-6-1 with a tie and 2.54 GAA lifetime versus the Rangers.

Rangers forward Derek Boogaard was unable to practice on Thursday due to a sore shoulder and is day-to-day. He could be replaced on the fourth line tonight by Todd White, who hasn't played since Nov. 19.

Also, defenseman Michal Rozsival, who has missed the last eight games with a shoulder injury, took part in practice on Thursday but may still sit out tonight's game.