Rangers Vs. Senators: Keys To The Game

The New York Rangers are fresh off a six-game homestand in which the team won their final four games to increase their record to 7-3-3. Tonight, the Rangers play the last team in the NHL that bested them, the Ottawa Senators who won a 5-4 shootout decision back in October.

Tonight the Rangers are looking for their fifth-straight win, here's what they will have to do to get it:

Shore Up The Defense: The New York Rangers might have beaten the Winnipeg Jets 3-0 on Sunday, but Martin Biron had to stand on his head until the Rangers finally took over the game. Ottawa has more than a few players who can put the puck into the back of the net, and they showed it in their three-goal third period against New York back in October. Tonight won't be any different, the Rangers' defense needs to be on their toes.

Join me after the jump for more including the Rangers' official pre-game notes.

Convert On The Power Play: Like the game against the Montreal Canadiens, the Rangers had a chance to finish off the Jets early. But New York couldn't convert on an extended five-on-three and kept it a one-goal game much longer then it needed to be. When the Rangers go on the man advantage tonight, they need to convert.

Get Dubinsky A Goal: Brandon Dubinsky needs a goal about as bad as anyone in the NHL right now. And while the Rangers shouldn't be passing up their own opportunities to try and get him the puck, he just needs a goal to get back on track. We've seen Dubinsky get chances but he hasn't been able to bury any of them as of yet. Tonight is as good a time as any.

Official New York Rangers pre-game notes below.