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Rangers in search of offense, face Thrashers

Dec 10, 2008 - 11:40 AM NY Rangers (18-10-2) at Atlanta (9-14-3) 7:00 p.m. EST

ATLANTA (Ticker) -- A recent goal-scoring drought has brought the New York Rangers back to the pack in the Atlantic Division.

They will look to break out offensively against the NHL's worst defensive team, the Atlanta Thrashers, on Wednesday.

New York has lost three of its last four (1-3-0), with the lone win coming a week ago in a 3-2 shootout victory over Pittsburgh. The Rangers have managed just four goals in regulation in their last four contests, including a pair of shutout losses.

Despite holding a 31-20 edge in shots on goal, New York fell to Calgary, 3-0, in its last game on Sunday.

The Rangers raced to the Atlantic Division lead thanks to 10-2-1 start However, they are just 8-8-1 since the beginning of November, allowing the likes of Pittsburgh, Philadelphia and New Jersey to narrow the gap.

Atlanta, which sits just one point ahead of Tampa Bay for the worst record in the NHL, is coming off a breakout offensive performance that halted another lengthy losing streak.

Ilya Kovalchuk recorded a goal and three assists as the Thrashers ended a five-game skid (0-4-1) with a 5-1 win over the Islanders on Saturday.

The Thrashers have lost four straight at home.

Both teams have struggled on the power play over their last five games, with New York converting just 1-of-19 and Atlanta scoring on 2-of-24 opportunities.