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Rangers look to keep Islanders sliding

Jan 13, 2009 - 1:27 PM NY Rangers (25-15-4) at NY Islanders (12-26-4), 7:00 p.m. EST

UNIONDALE, New York (Ticker) -- The New York Rangers have been fairly mediocre for the last few weeks. The New York Islanders are yearning to know what mediocre feels like.

The Islanders will try and snap a four-game losing streak when they host the Rangers on Tuesday.

Thanks to an awful stretch over the past month, the Islanders are the rightful owners of the worst record in the NHL.

The Islanders are 2-14-2 since December 4, and are coming off a 5-2 setback at Calgary on Thursday.

Rookie Trevor Smith scored his first career goal and Jeff Tambellini also tallied in the loss for the Islanders, who have won their last two games at the Nassau Coliseum.

Playing the third contest of a five-game road trip, the Rangers are just 3-4-2 in their last nine games.

The Rangers are coming off a 2-0 victory over the Ottawa Senators on Saturday as Henrik Lundqvist made 33 saves for his second shutout of the season. Brandon Dubinsky and rookie Lauri Korpikoski scored the Rangers' goals.

The Rangers have won two of the three meetings this season, including a 5-4 victory on December 29.