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Penguins carry three-game slide on road

Dec 7, 2006 - 3:07 PM Pittsburgh (11-11-4) at NY Rangers (13-10-4) 7 pm EST

NEW YORK (Ticker) - The Pittsburgh Penguins look to leave their three-game losing streak in the "Big Apple" when they face the slumping New York Rangers on Thursday.

The Penguins endured a 3-2 shortcoming to the Florida Panthers on Tuesday. Sidney Crosby scored the game-tying goal midway through the third period on the power play, but Olli Jokinen tallied with the man advantage with nearly five minutes remaining in the contest.

Rookie Erik Christensen netted his third goal of the season and Jocelyn Thibault made 27 saves for Pittsburgh, which absorbed its third straight regulation loss.

After absorbing three consecutive extra-session setbacks, the Rangers fell to the rival New York Islanders, 7-4, on Sunday. Henrik Lundqvist allowed four goals in the opening period before being replaced by Kevin Weekes, who turned away 10 shots.

Brendan Shanahan recorded his 18th career hat trick and Jaromir Jagr tallied for the Rangers, who outshot the Islanders, 43-21.

Pittsburgh has won two of the previous three meetings with the Rangers. However, the Penguins lost the last encounter in overtime, 2-1, on November 25. Martin Straka scored the game-winning goal with just three seconds left in the extra session.