Rangers struggle in the early going

After starting the first week 1-1-0, the New York Rangers battled cross-town rivals, the New York Islanders in a game that seemed focused on defensive players, both defensemen and goalies. Only defensemen tallied goals for either club in a 2-1 Islanders victory. Marc-Andre Bergeron, Fedor Tyutin, and Bryan Berard had the three goals, while the goaltenders were stellar the remainder of the game.

Two nights later, the Washington Capitals paid a visit to the World's Most Famous Arena, and found themselves strugging against a Blueshirts team determined to get back in the win column. Like the Islanders game, each goal in the game vs. the Capitals had a special characteristic. In this game, each goal was scored on the power play in the first period. Scott Gomez, Martin Straka, and Michal Rozsival scored for the Rangers, and Alexander Ovechkin scored for the Caps. The Rangers heavily outshot the Capitals, 41-25, with Olaf Kolzig keeping Washington in the game the whole time and making sure it wasn't a blowout.

The following night, the other team representing a national capital visited Madison Square Garden as the Rangers played host to the Ottawa Senators, who had shut them out just one week prior. The Senators' shutout streak vs. the Rangers continued for most of the game until Jaromir Jagr scored with just 1:09 left in regulation. However, it wasn't enough as Dany Heatley, Chris Philips, and Patrick Eaves scored in a 52-second span of the second period en route to the 3-1 win. The three goals from Ottawa marked the highest allowed by Henrik Lundqvist all season.

Since the game with Ottawa on Saturday, the Rangers have been off, and play their next game Thursday night in Atlanta.

Rangers' record: 2-3-0 through 5 games

Rangers' next week of opponents:

Thu, Oct 18 at Thrashers

Sat, Oct 20 at Bruins

Tue, Oct 23 at Penguins

Rangers start season 1-1-0

The New York Rangers started the 2007-08 season off right with a 5-2 victory over at home the Florida Panthers. Michal Rozsival scored just 37 seconds into the opening frame to give the Rangers an early 1-0 lead. This was reminiscent of last season when Jaromir Jagr scored just 28 seconds into the new season.

Newly-signed Chris Drury, making his Rangers debut, scored the game-winning goal in the third period after the Blueshirts had given up two goals in the second period.

The Rangers then travelled to the Canadian capital to take on the Ottawa Senators at ScotiaBank Place. After some sloppy defense led to two goals in the first six minutes, one of which was shorthanded, Henrik Lundqvist was stellar, and made some unbelievable saves. However, the problem for the Rangers was that Sens goaltender Martin Gerber played equally well the entire game, and shut them out.

The Rangers have been off since that game in Ottawa, but play Wednesday night at Nassau Coliseum in what looks to be a slugfest.

Rangers record: 1-1-0

Next week of opponents:

Wed, Oct 10 at Islanders

Fri, Oct 12 vs. Capitals

Sat, Oct 13 vs. Senators

Rangers set for season opener

The New York Rangers have their roster set after some tough decisions through training camp and preseason. Eighteen of their twenty veterans that remain on the roster were with the team last year, with the two new obvious standouts being July 1st signings Chris Drury and Scott Gomez.

This year's team sees a few jersey number changes since last season and the preseason. Dan Girardi wore #46 last season and through the preseason, but now wears #5. Ryan Callahan, who wore #43 last season and during preseason, will now wear #24. Marc Staal, who wore #42 for preseason, will now wear #18. Lastly, Blair Betts wore #19 last season, and switched to #15 before training camp so Scott Gomez could take his old number.

The role of backup goaltender was given to Stephen Valiquette while his competitor, Al Montoya, was assigned to the Hartford Wolf Pack. Valiquette will back-up the Blueshirts' young, superstar goaltender, Henrik Lundqvist.

At center, the team will see Blair Betts, Scott Gomez, Chris Drury, Ryan Hollweg, and rookie Brandon Dubinsky.

Listed at left wing, they have Brendan Shanahan, and Sean Avery

At right wing, they'll play rookie Ryan Callahan, Colton Orr, and captain Jaromir Jagr.

Their roster lists Petr Prucha, Marcel Hossa, and Martin Straka as non-specific forwards.

Their remaining defensemen are Michal Rozsival, Dan Girardi, Marek Malik, rookie Marc Staal, Thomas Pock, Paul Mara, Jason Strudwick, and Fedor Tyutin.