(My Sportsbook) - The New York Rangers hope to have their star goaltender back between the pipes tonight when they welcome the Atlanta Thrashers for a battle at Madison Square Garden.

The Blueshirts have been without the services of Henrik Lundqvist for the last two games because of a right leg injury. New York won the first contest without the three-time Vezina Trophy finalist, beating Edmonton last Thursday, but were handed a setback Saturday in Calgary.

Stephen Valiquette has started the last two games in place of Lundqvist, who hasn't gone three straight games without starting since December 17-21, 2006. Lundqvist is expected to be a game-time decision for tonight.

The Rangers were dealt a 3-1 loss by the Flames as Daymond Langkow led the way for Calgary with a goal and an assist at the Saddledome.

Dan Girardi scored the only goal for New York, which has lost seven of 10. Valiquette allowed three goals on only 22 shots to take the loss.

"I thought it was one of our best games of the year," said Rangers head coach John Tortorella. "The difference was [Flames goaltender Miikka] Kiprusoff."

The Rangers also lost centerman Brandon Dubinsky to a broken right hand in the game. Dubinsky, who has three goals and seven assists this year, is expected to miss the next four-to-six weeks.

New York is 6-2-0 as the host this year and came away with victories in its last two tests at MSG. Next up for the Rangers is Saturday's road game in Ottawa.

While the Rangers could get Lundqvist back tonight, the Thrashers are getting closer to having star winger Ilya Kovalchuk return to the ice. The Russian sniper has missed the last six games since breaking a bone in his right foot on October 24 against San Jose.

Kovalchuk, who still leads Atlanta with nine goals this year, surprisingly made the trip to New York and could return earlier than expected from his injury. He could be a game-time decision depending on whether or not he decides to test his foot out before the game.

The Thrashers ended a two-game slide and won for the third time in five games after downing visiting St. Louis on Sunday. Rich Peverley notched the winner in the shootout and Slava Kozlov added insurance as Atlanta rallied from a two-goal deficit to down the Blues, 3-2, at Philips Arena.

Tobias Enstrom and Ron Hainsey tallied in regulation for the Thrashers, while Johan Hedberg made 30 saves for the win.

"I just felt like this was the best overall game we've played recently," said Thrashers head coach John Anderson. "It follows, when you do the right things, good things happen."

Thrashers rookie Evander Kane suffered a foot injury in Sunday's win and is questionable for tonight's contest. The fourth overall pick in the 2009 draft has three goals and six points in 14 games.

Atlanta is 5-2-1 as the guest this year, but has dropped two of its last three road contests. Following tonight, the Thrashers will return home to kick off a five-game homestand with Friday's tilt against the Kings.

The Thrashers and Rangers split four meetings a year ago, but Atlanta has taken seven of 11 overall in the series. The Thrashers have also taken four out of seven in NYC.