(Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)

The New York Rangers try to end a three-game losing streak when they host Alex Ovechkin and the Washington Capitals on Thursday night.

Washington Capitals 40-20-6
New York Rangers 35-27-4
Television: MSG Network, 7 p.m.
Venue: Madison Square Garden

The New York Rangers look to get back into the playoff hunt Thursday night when they face-off against another top team in the NHL, the Washington Capitals.

The Rangers have lost their last three games and are still looking for their first victor since Chris Kreider‘s. The left winger fractured his ankle in a loss to the Philadelphia Flyers last Friday. The team is also without their No. 1 goalie Igor Shesterkin (fractured rib).

Head coach David Quinn hasn’t been able to find Kreider’s substitution on a line that’s centered by Mika Zibanejad (33 goals) and Pavel Buchnevich. In Tuesday’s 3-1 loss to the defending Stanley Cup Champion St. Louis Blues, Phillip Di Giuseppe took the left winger spot when the game began.

This club has managed to score just six goals in the last three defeats.

Lineups same as Tuesday night

Quinn announced the lineup for Thursday’s game would be the same as Tuesday’s matchup against St. Louis.

Di Giuseppe – Zibanejad – Buchnevich
Panarin – Strome – Fast
Howden – Chytil – Kakko
Lemieux – McKegg – Gauthier

Lindgren – Fox
Smith – Trouba
Staal – DeAngelo

Alexandar Georgiev will start in net for the Blueshirts.

The Capitals — who were defeated by the Philadelphia Flyers on Wednesday night — lead the Metropolitan Division with 86 points, one point ahead of the Flyers.

Including Thursday night’s game, the Rangers will play eight of their final 16 games against Metropolitan teams. They remain five points out of the wild card.

Shesterkin participated in practice without restrictions. Quinn advised he is now listed as “day-to-day”

A graduate of St. John's University class of '91. I have been a fan of the New York Rangers since the days of Peter Puck. Founder of Ranger Proud, the Facebook page that covers all news, notes, pre /post-game stats, and player quotes. I can be reached at Nyrfc12@gmail.com