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Rangers try to end slide against Thrashers

Dec 7, 2007 - 2:40 PM NY Rangers (15-11-2) at Atlanta (13-13-1) 7:30 pm EST

ATLANTA (Ticker) - The New York Rangers try to snap a two-game slide on Friday when they visit the Atlanta Thrashers.

The Rangers have suffered back-to-back setbacks for the first time since October 13 and 18 - including a dismal 6-2 loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs on Thursday.

New York's Henrik Lundqvist had perhaps his worst performance of the season, allowing four goals on just 10 shots and was pulled after the second period.

Outside of Thursday's implosion, Lundqvist has been very good between the pipes, posting a 14-10-1 record with a 1.91 goals-against average and a .927 save percentage - third in the NHL.

The Thrashers have won two of their last three games - both against the New York Islanders. Ilya Kovalchuk scored a goal in the second period and another in the shootout as Atlanta picked up a 4-3 victory against the Islanders on Wednesday.

Kovalchuk has posted two or more points in 10 of his last 19 games and leads the NHL with 23 goals this season. The 24-year-old left wing ranks fourth in the league with 38 points and has scored at least one goal in 17 of 27 games this season.