The New York Rangers are officially in panic mode as their losing streak hits four games. The team has had past success against the Tampa Bay Lightning and hopes that Thursday night's game can start the team on the winning path again. This is the third and final meeting of the two teams this season. New York has won the first two matches.
Rick Nash is rumored to be returning to the lineup for the Rangers which could help their losing woes. He had missed the previous four games with an undisclosed injury. Nash did practice Tuesday and Wednesday and is looking for a Thursday return. The Rangers lineup has been riddled with injuries of late. For the past few games they have been without four of their starters. They simply could not compete without them. New York has six goals in the four games without Nash and has scored 11 goals in the past six games, going 1-3-2. They are desperate to get him back. Their scoring problems are not just a result of Nash, star forward Marian Gaborik has gone five games without a goal while center Brad Richards has one point in his last four games and no goals in 13 games.
Tampa Bay has lost two straight games since winning three of four. They went 0-6 on the power play in Tuesday night's loss to Buffalo. They are 1 for 14 over the past four games. Steven Stamkos is taking advantage of the large amount of scoring opportunities, extending his goal streak to six games. Stamkos has seven goals and six assists during a seven-game point streak. His 14 total lead the league. The Lightning will be without star defenseman Sami Salo who has an undisclosed lower-body injury. Salo leads Tampa Bay at plus-11 but is uncertain to play on Thursday.
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