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Shanahan, Rangers go for third straight win

Dec 3, 2007 - 3:54 PM Carolina (14-10-3) at NY Rangers (15-9-2) 7:00 pm EST

NEW YORK (Ticker) -- After downing the Northeast Division leaders, the New York Rangers will turn their attention to the Southeast Division's top team.

Brendan Shanahan will hope to lead the Rangers to their third consecutive win when they host the Carolina Hurricanes on Monday night.

Shanahan scored two goals as New York reclaimed the top spot in the Atlantic Division with a 5-2 victory over the Ottawa Senators on Saturday afternoon. The 38-year-old left wing, who leads the club with nine goals on the season, has 636 tallies and 1,312 points in his 19-year career.

The Rangers will need an increased output from their offensive superstars, like Shanahan and captain Jaromir Jagr, especially now that Sean Avery is out indefinitely after opting to undergo surgery on his left wrist.

The Hurricanes do not lack offensive firepower, notching a conference-best 86 goals through the first 27 games. Eric Staal leads the way with 14 tallies this season.

For the first time in his career, Eric Staal will get to play against his younger brother Marc, who is a rookie defenseman for the Rangers. Marc Staal has just one goal and two assists on the season.

Carolina is coming off its most embarrassing defeat of the season, an 8-1 setback to the Buffalo Sabres on Saturday. John Grahame surrendered all eight goals and made just 17 saves.