New York, NY (My Sportsbook) - The New York Rangers try to avoid their worst 15-game start in 22 years tonight when they welcome the Edmonton Oilers to Madison Square Garden. Madison Square Garden.

At 4-8-2-0, the Blueshirts are already off to their worst 14-game start since 1986-87. After 15 games in 80-81, New York was 3-10-2. 1986-87. After 15 games in 80-81, New York was 3-10-2.

This year's version of the club has put itself in this position with a three- game losing streak, including Sunday's 3-2 setback to St. Louis at MSG. With Eric Lindros in the box for high-sticking, the Blues' Scott Mellanby scored the game-winner 6:03 into the third period.

After Lindros took a careless penalty away from the puck as he was skating toward his bench, Mellanby capitalized on the power play with his third goal of the season to break a 2-2 tie for the Blues. A rebound bounced out to Mellanby, who fired a slap shot from the left circle and beat Mike Richter stick-side.

A Lindros penalty also turned the tide in Saturday's 3-2 loss to Boston, and it seems as if the superstar has landed in coach Bryan Trottier's doghouse. Lindros played just 8:31 on Sunday, 5:41 of which came in the first period, and he skated on the fourth line between Rico Fata and Sandy McCarthy to start the game. And after the match, Trottier failed to come to his star's defense when asked about the officiating.

For the season, Lindros' production has waned as well. In 13 games he has managed only two goals and four assists.

Mark Messier and Brian Leetch scored in the losing cause Sunday. Messier has so far shrugged off age and health issues, and is second to Pavel Bure on the club with six goals.

The Rangers, 2-5-1 at the Garden, began a three-game homestand on Sunday. The set concludes Thursday versus Calgary.

Edmonton, the former club of Messier and Rangers general manager Glen Sather, is 2-0-1-1 in its last four games, including Sunday's 4-1 victory over Chicago in the first installment of a six-match trip. Anson Carter led the way with two goals and an assist, and goaltender Tommy Salo made 24 saves as the Oilers improved to 2-2-1 on hostile ice. Ryan Smyth and Shawn Horcoff tallied as well.

Craig MacTavish's club continues its season-long road trek on Friday against the Islanders, and will also visit New Jersey, Boston and Minnesota before all is said and done.

Edmonton defeated the Rangers, 4-1, in Alberta last January 2 to snap an eight-game series winless streak (0-4-4).