(My Sportsbook) - The New York Rangers dropped their third straight game on Sunday, to the surging St. Louis Blues, and if the team does not come up with a point in Tuesday's contest it will mark its worst 15-game start since 1980-81.

Eric Lindros again had the goat horns atop his head following the loss, after a high-sticking penalty led to the game-winning goal in St. Louis' 3-2 triumph.

Lindros, who did not see the ice again after the penalty, also committed a key infraction in Saturday's loss to Boston. The penalty changed the complexion of that game and ultimately led to the Rangers' demise. that game and ultimately led to the Rangers' demise.

All in all Lindros played just 8:31 on Sunday, 5:41 of which came in the first All in all Lindros played just 8:31 on Sunday, 5:41 of which came in the first period, and he skated between Rico Fata and Sandy McCarthy on the team's period, and he skated between Rico Fata and Sandy McCarthy on the team's fourth line to start the game.

"Hockey is a contact sport," Lindros said. "I understand what they're trying to do, but it's tough to play the game this way."

Lindros, who has had his share of ticky-tack penalties this season, is starting feel singled out by the referees.

"I just can't figure out the refereeing. [Toronto's Wade Belak] trips on the "I just can't figure out the refereeing. [Toronto's Wade Belak] trips on the puck and I get a five-minute major and game misconduct," Lindros added. "Two penalties I got when guys ran into me and I still don't know who they are. I know refereeing is not easy, but you'd just like a little consistency."

If Lindros thought he was going to get any support from head coach Bryan Trottier, he might as well forget that. Trottier, after the game, agreed with the official's call on his 6-foot-4, 238-pound center.

Lindros has scored just twice this season, with both goals being netted against Buffalo back on October 17, and has been a non-factor thus far. In his defense, however, Lindros scored just three times in the first month of last season before going on a Hart Trophy-type tear in November.

"I think knowing Eric for the last while, he cares," said Rangers captain Mark Messier. "The thing was, even though he didn't play much in the second, when we were talking between the second and third he just said: 'Let's just win this game.' To me, that's all I needed to hear."

Lindros' struggles in the early going are directly related to the poor start New York has gotten off to. As "Big E" goes, so go the Rangers. Last season when Lindros was hot, the Blueshirts were atop the Eastern Conference standings. When he got hurt and struggled in the second half of the season, New York fell out of the playoff hunt.

So to make a long story short, if Lindros does not get it going soon the Rangers could be headed to their sixth straight season of missing the playoffs, and general manager Glen Sather could be looking for a new job.

WHAT'S AHEAD

The Rangers will try and right the ship on Tuesday against Edmonton before ending a three-game homestand on Thursday versus Calgary.