(Sports Network) - The New York Rangers will try to wrap a three-game homestand on a positive note when they welcome the Carolina Hurricanes for tonight's clash at Madison Square Garden.
The Rangers had won three straight overall before losing Wednesday to Atlanta in the middle portion of their current residency. New York is just 1-2-1 as the host this season.
The Thrashers earned a wild 6-4 decision in a game that featured five goals in the third period, including three by Atlanta. Niclas Bergfors and Andrew Ladd each had a goal and an assist in the win.
Sean Avery and Ryan Callahan each tallied a goal and an assist for the Rangers, but Martin Biron gave up five goals on 25 shots in the loss.
"You've gotta make the big saves when you're asked to do it," said Biron. "And tonight there were a couple of times I could have made that big save that would have kept the game tight, but it didn't happen for me."
Biron was getting just his second start of the year in place of No. 1 workhorse Henrik Lundqvist, who will bring an 8-6-1 career mark against the Hurricanes into tonight's game.
New York has dealt with its share of injuries already this season and still has key forwards Marian Gaborik,Chris Drury and Vinny Prospal on injured reserve. Centerman Artem Anisimov suffered an injury to his right ankle in Wednesday's loss, but after an MRI revealed nothing serious, he could be back in the lineup tonight.
Rangers defenseman Michal Rozsival (knee) and enforcer Derek Boogaard (hand) are both questionable for tonight's test.
The Hurricanes were dealt a shutout loss by visiting Washington on Wednesday, dropping Carolina to 2-4-0 in its last six games. Michal Neuvirth recorded his first career shutout by stopping all 29 shots in the Capitals' 3-0 win at RBC Center.
Cam Ward allowed two goals on 32 shots for the Hurricanes, who were playing their first game of the season at RBC Center. Carolina is 3-3-0 as the visiting team this season.
The Hurricanes and Rangers split four meetings last season and the clubs each have nine wins over the last 18 matchups. Carolina has won its last two games at MSG, but has dropped five out of eight in Manhattan.
Lundqvist and Ward have started in net against each other in 13 of the last 15 meetings between these two teams.