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Naslund, Rangers seek third straight win against Panthers

Nov 28, 2008 - 11:27 AM NY Rangers (16-7-2) at Florida (8-11-2), 7:30 pm EST

SUNRISE, Florida (Ticker) -- When the New York Rangers lost Jaromir Jagr, Brendan Shanahan, Sean Avery and Martin Straka - four of their biggest offensive contributors - in the offseason, they desperately needed one of their new acquisitions to deliver.

Riding a four-game points streak, Markus Naslund hopes to continue his success with his new team, as the Rangers can extend their winning streak to three when they visit the Florida Panthers on Friday.

Naslund has two goals and three assists over the last four contests, and 15 points - eight goals and seven assists - in his last 17. After becoming the Vancouver Canucks' franchise points and goals leader, Naslund signed a two-year contract with the Rangers as a free agent in July.

Naslund scored two goals and came through in a shootout as the Rangers edged the Tampa Bay Lightning, 3-2, on Wednesday.

Fellow newcomer Nikolai Zherdev has also contributed a great deal by recording seven goals and 15 assists. He set up both of Naslund's goals and tallied in the second round of the bonus format.

The Rangers have won five of their last seven games after beginning November 1-3-1.

Florida snapped a two-game losing streak with a 3-2 victory over the Carolina Hurricanes on Monday, but fell to the New Jersey Devils, 3-2, in overtime two days later.

While dropping four of their last six, the Panthers have struggled on offense and have not netted four goals since a 4-0 win over the Lightning on November 12.