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Rangers aim to stay hot with 6th win in a row vs. Hurricanes

Nov 11, 2011 - 4:13 PM (Sports Network) - The red-hot New York Rangers will take aim at a sixth consecutive victory tonight, when they host the struggling Carolina Hurricanes tonight at Madison Square Garden.

New York won the first four tilts of its current surge on home ice before notching Tuesday's victory in Ottawa.

The Rangers are on their first five-game winning streak since March 12-22 of last year. The club last posted six straight victories during a seven-game tear from Oct. 3-17, 2009.

Marian Gaborik scored a pair of goals to help lift the Rangers to the 3-2 decision over the Senators. Derek Stepan added a goal and two assists, while Henrik Lundqvist stopped 29 shots for the Rangers, who have not lost since falling to the Senators on October 29.

Gaborik has four goals and three assists during a four-game point streak and he has posted five goals and 11 points over his last seven outings. He is leading New York in both goals (9) and points (15) this season.

"First of all we had a good forecheck and kept our legs moving," Gaborik said after Tuesday's win. "Second of all, when we get the puck, guys are confident to make a play. We are winning the battles, getting in there first, and I think that's how we created our goals."

New York is 4-1-1 as the host this season and will shoot for a fifth straight home win tonight. After this evening, the Rangers won't play again until Tuesday, when they open a four-game road trip against the Islanders.

The Hurricanes have not fared well recently, losing three straight, four of five and seven of their last nine games. Carolina is currently tied for last with Winnipeg in the Southeast Division.

Carolina was dealt a 3-2 regulation setback Tuesday in New Jersey, as Adam Henrique netted the winning tally late in the third period for the Devils.

"We were loose with the puck, moments of just being nervous," said Hurricanes head coach Paul Maurice.

Brandon Sutter and Joni Pitkanen lit the lamp for the Hurricanes, who are on their third three-game losing streak of the season. Carolina last dropped four in a row during an 0-3-1 stretch from March 4-12.

Cam Ward took the loss despite 33 stops. Ward is 5-5-2 with a 2.87 goals- against average on the season.

Carolina has lost its last four games on the road and is 2-4-2 as the visiting club this season. The 'Canes will play their next two and four of their next five games on home ice, beginning with Saturday's tilt against Pittsburgh.

The Rangers and Hurricanes split four meetings in last year's season series and Carolina has taken four of six overall in this matchup. New York had lost three straight on home ice to Carolina before notching an overtime victory on Jan. 5.