Surging Rangers hit road against sagging Devils

Rangers' Carl Hagelin works the puck behind the net ahead... — Rangers' Carl Hagelin works the puck behind the net ahead of Carolina Hurricanes' Tim Gleason. (March 1, 2012) Credit: AP

By STEVE ZIPAYsteve.zipay@newsday.comMarch 5, 2012

Here they go again: The NHL-leading Rangers, fresh from capturing five of six points in a three-games-in-four-nights span without injured captain Ryan Callahan, embark on a three-game road swing beginning Tuesday night in Newark and continuing in Ottawa on Thursday and in Chicago on Friday.

Unless they get complacent, the trip shouldn't be too much of a burden, judging by their record. The Blueshirts have registered at least a point in 12 of their last 14 road games (9-2-3) and are 15-4-3 in their last 22 games. They have 91 points, and the franchise record of 112 points set in the Stanley Cup championship season of 1993-94 is in sight.

The teams are headed in opposite directions: The Devils (36-24-5, 77 points) are sixth in the Eastern Conference but have lost five of their last six games.

Callahan's availability against the Devils at the Prudential Center is unclear. He is expected to test his bruised and swollen right foot, which was struck by a shot from Ilya Kovalchuk on Feb. 27, the last time these two teams met. That was a 2-0 victory for the Rangers, and Callahan contributed a goal and an assist.

Overall, the Rangers are 2-1-1 against their Hudson River rivals (1-0-1 on the road) and have outscored the Devils 9-5. Carl Hagelin and Marian Gaborik (two goals, three assists) are tied for the team scoring lead against the Devils. Since 2007-08, the Rangers are 9-4-2 on the road against the Devils.

One of the major reasons has been the dominance of Henrik Lundqvist. He has faced Martin Brodeur, who is expected to be in the net for the Devils Tuesday night, in 33 regular-season games, compiling a 22-6-5 record with a 1.72 goals-against average, .936 save percentage and five shutouts. Lundqvist is 2-1-0 with a 0.67 goals-against average and one shutout this season.

Backup goaltender Martin Biron (11-3-2) is expected to start in one of the back-to-backs on the trip. After the trip, 10 of the final 15 games are at Madison Square Garden, including a seven-game homestand from March 11-23. But first, the road awaits.