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Penguins face Rangers, looking to start new streak

Jan 14, 2008 - 2:22 PM NY Rangers (21-19-5) at Pittsburgh (25-16-3) 7:00 pm EST

PITTSBURGH (Ticker) -- The Pittsburgh Penguins will look to start a new winning streak on Monday against the New York Rangers.

A 3-2 shootout loss at Atlanta on Saturday ended the Penguins' eight-game winning streak.

Former Pittsburgh right wing Mark Recchi scored the only shootout goal for the Thrashers in his first game against the Penguins since being claimed off waivers on December 8.

The loss was Pittsburgh's first since a 2-1 loss to New Jersey on December 21. With an 8-1-1 record in their last 10 games, the Penguins have surged to within two points of the first-place Devils in the Atlantic Division.

Ty Conklin has been in goal for Pittsburgh's last nine games since being called up on December 8 from Wilkes-Barre/Scranton of the American Hockey League. Conklin is 9-0-1 on the season with a 1.79 goals-against average.

Conklin has not faced New York this season.

New York, 2-4-1 in its last seven games, snapped a five-game losing streak Saturday wit a 4-1 home victory over Montreal.

Henrik Lundqvist, whose recent slide cost him an invitation to the All-Star Game, made 18 saves.

Lundqvist had been 2-5-2 with a 3.81 goals-against average in his previous nine games after going 16-11-2 with a 1.98 GAA and six shutouts in his first 29.

"Last couple games, I've been off to a good start, playing on my toes, but then I let in a couple of goals and start playing on my heels," Lundqvist said. "That's what happens sometimes to me and also to the team when you're on a losing streak."

Defenseman Michal Rozsival and center Scott Gomez have each scored three goals against Pittsburgh in four games this season.