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Rangers aim to rebound versus Thrashers

Jan 22, 2011 - 3:45 PM (Sports Network) - Injuries are preventing the Rangers from playing consistent hockey. New York will try to rebound this evening as it visits the Atlanta Thrashers and Philips Arena.

New York is currently seventh overall in the Eastern Conference with 57 points, but has lost four of its last six both overall and on the road. After four Marian Gaborik goals paced a 7-0 victory over Toronto on Wednesday, the Rangers were dealt a 4-1 setback in Carolina the following night.

Henrik Lundqvist made 35 saves and Brandon Prust scored his club's only goal with 8:20 left in the game. Rookies Chad Kolarik and Ryan McDonagh both picked up their first career point with assists.

"It was a big game and it's tough to lose this one," said Lundqvist.

Injuries continue to mount for the Blueshirts. Already without Alex Frolov, Erik Christensen, Ryan Callahan, Derek Boogaard and Vinny Prospal, the latest Rangers to hit the sidelines are Brandon Dubinsky (left leg) and Ruslan Fedotenko (left shoulder).

New York lost the opener of a three-game road trip, but is still 15-9-1 as the guest club this season.

The Rangers may find rebounding tonight a little difficult given that they have lost six of their last seven versus the Thrashers. That includes a 6-4 home setback on Oct. 27 that featured six different goal scorers for Atlanta.

Lundqvist did not start that game -- Martin Biron allowed five goals on 25 shots -- and is 6-3-6 with a 2.17 goals-against average in his career versus Atlanta.

The Thrashers have won five of their last seven at home versus the Rangers and got a goal and an assist out of Niclas Bergfors and Andrew Ladd in that October win. Bergfors has three goals and four assists in his last eight games overall, lightning the lamp in Thursday's 3-2 shootout setback to the Lightning.

Anthony Stewart also scored in regulation and Ondrej Pavelec made 29 saves through 65 minutes of action, but Atlanta lost for the fifth time in six games as well as for the 10th time in a row to Tampa Bay.

"We played well, we battled and we got one point instead of two," said Atlanta head coach Craig Ramsay. "That's a frustrating thing, but we have to stay focused on the fact that we did get a point."

Despite recent struggles, which include losses in three straight and five of six at home, Atlanta is still holding onto the eighth spot in the East, two points up on Carolina.

Pavelec has never before faced the Rangers. Injured backup Chris Mason made 24 saves in the earlier win.