The infirmary is piling up. Sean Avery is still at least three weeks away from game action and Marcel Hossa, hobbled with a hip flexor has been MIA for the last two starts. Even if Hossa is cleared to play Tuesday expect reinforcements from Hartford because you can now add Martin Straka to the Rangers MASH unit. Straka is expected to be out for an extended period with a broken finger on his right hand that he suffered in Saturday’s loss to the Bruins.

This is a double blow for the Blueshirts as Straka was tied for the team lead with two goals. That’s right, after seven games the leading goal scorers for the Rangers have an eye catching two goals. The Blueshirts popgun offense has scored in only six of 21 periods this year. You’d expect more from the millions team management has invested in goal scorers. Never mind Joe DiMaggio, where’d you go Jaromir Jagr…Chris Drury…Scott Gomez…Brendan Shanahan? The Amazing Rhythm Aces have five goals amongst themselves.

Up next for the Remedial Rangers (2-4-1) is Sid the Kid and the Pittsburgh Penguins (4-3) Tuesday night. The Pens game marks the last of a three game road trip before the Blueshirts enjoy a seven game homestand. A win over the Penguins will leave the Rangers with a respectable 1-1-1 record on the trip and a much needed confidence boost.

Though they are atop the Rangers in the standings Pens brass have had to answer questions about the lackluster goaltending of Marc-Andre Fleury. In five of the seven games that the Pens have played this year they have been faced with a two-goal deficit. One thing to be sure of, with Crosby and Evgeni Malkin on the ice this game shouldn’t be another yawner. It may not end up as a win for the Blueshirts but it should be exciting.

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