New York Rangers News: Blueshirts Start Season with Back-to-Back Losses

The New York Rangers lost their second game in a row against Atlantic Division rival the Pittsburgh Penguins at their home opener at Madison Square Garden last night.

The lockout clipped the regular season to 48-games, a cause of concern for the Blueshirts, who have now sunk to the bottom of the division standings after their 6-3 loss at the Garden.

The Rangers pulled goaltender Henrik Lundqvist from the game after a Pascal Dupuis goal in the second period, making the score 4-1.

"Personally, it was a tough night," Lundqvist said. "I don't really have a good explanation. I just have to keep working hard and try to get better. I understand the decision. It's a game where right from the get-go, it felt like the puck was really bouncing my way."

First period goals from James Neal, Tyler Kennedy and Matt Niskanen increased the Penguin lead to 3-1 over the Rangers. Ryan Callahan scored a power-play goal, briefly tying the game at 1-1.

Neal went on to score another goal in the third period, increasing the Penguins lead to 5-1.

"It's always a good game against the Rangers," Neal said. "We get up for it, and how can you not playing at MSG? We have the same mindset going into every game: we want to wear teams down, we want (to) shoot the puck, go to the net, wear down their 'D.' We did that all night."

Taylor Pyatt and Rick Nash both scored goals in the third period closing the gap to 5-3 before Kris Letang scored the sixth goal for the Penguins and bringing the final score to 6-3.

Nash's shorthanded goal was his first since joining the Rangers.

"I'd rather have the two points," Nash said. "It doesn't mean much. If it helped us win it would mean a lot."

There seemed to be a lack of momentum from New York even after ex-Penguin and new Ranger Arron Asham dropped his gloves with Tanner Glass just two seconds into the start of the game. But unlike the Rangers, the Penguins were able to capitalize on the energy.

"That was a great fight from both guys," Penguins star center Sidney Crosby said. "It got us fired up. We wanted to follow that up, so to get that first (goal) definitely helps."

Rangers head coach John Tortorella is understandably frustrated with the team.

"It's not an individual thing. As a group, we didn't have the fight level the past two games," he said.

But on a good note, the Rangers were successful in killing seven power-plays against them and profited from a 5-on-3 power-play.

Nash said that he isn't too alarmed about the team's performance.

"I don't think we're pushing panic buttons," Nash said. "It's not the start we wanted. We've got to get back to work. There are a lot of mistakes out there we have to correct. It's a short season, so we've got to correct them fast."

The Rangers will host the Boston Bruins on Wednesday night -- the team they lost to their first game of the season, 3-1.