Rangers @ Stars

Who will WIN this matchup?

New York Rangers (36-28-4)

@ Dallas Stars (37-23-8)

Starting Goalies:

Igor Shesterkin (NYR): Confirmed

Ben Bishop (DAL): Confirmed

Current odds:

New York Rangers: (+145)

Dallas Stars: (-165)

• The Dallas Stars appeared to be a sure thing for the postseason midway through last month, even challenged for first place in the Central Division. While the Stars still maintain a firm grasp on third place in the division, they are mired in a season high-tying losing streak entering Tuesday night’s matchup against the visiting New York Rangers. Dallas has lost four one-goal decisions during its five-game slide (0-3-2) and failed to score while dropping both ends of a home-and-home to the Nashville Predators. “You go through these stretches,” interim coach Rick Bowness said after Saturday’s 1-0 loss in the opener of a four-game homestand. “It’s bad timing, but this is playoff hockey right now. It’s a grind, it’s low scoring, and you’ve got to find ways.”

• The Rangers were making a charge for a playoff slot in the Eastern Conference before their momentum stalled with four losses in the past five games to keep them three points out of the second wild card. “Disappointed,” coach David Quinn said after Saturday’s 6-4 home loss to New Jersey. “We’ll go on a road trip here, and our season’s not over by any stretch of the imagination. We’ve got to get over this and get ready for Dallas.”

• Mika Zibanejad was named the NHL First Star of the Week on Monday after pumping in seven goals in three games, including his spectacular five-goal outing in a 6-5 overtime win over Washington. Zibanejad has amassed a staggering 21 goals in 20 games since the All-Star break and has not gone back-to-back contests without scoring during that span to boost his career-best total to 39. Rookie Igor Shesterkin, who allowed five goals Saturday after missing two weeks with a rib injury, will be back in net Tuesday.

• Trying to find a way to ignite his team’s dormant offense, Bowness shuffled his lines at Monday’s practice, moving Corey Perry alongside Tyler Seguin and captain Jamie Benn on the No. 1 unit while putting Jason Dickinson on the third line with Radek Faksa and Blake Comeau. “We put Dickie up there for offense. We just need a little more offense,” Bowness said of Dickinson replacing Andrew Cogliano on Dallas’ checking line. Cogliano dropped to the fourth line while Roope Hintz centered Denis Gurianov and Joe Pavelski.

• The Stars are 1-for-12 on the power play over the last four games.

• Rangers F Artemi Panarin, who has 50 of his team-high 93 points at home, has one goal and nine points in 14 games versus Dallas.

• Stars F Alexander Radulov, who missed Saturday’s game due to illness, remained away from practice Monday.