(My Sportsbook) - The New York Rangers carried a three-goal lead into the final 20 minutes of Monday's contest against the San Jose Sharks and seemed to be well on their way to victory. However, this is the Rangers and nothing comes easy.

The Blueshirts, however, did escape with the win, but not before San Jose scored twice to pull within a goal, and peppered Dan Blackburn with 17 shots in the third period .

Blackburn made 33 saves in his third straight start for the Rangers, who were once again without the services of No. 1 goaltender Mike Richter. Richter, who did not even suit up, has been sidelined since getting kneed in the head during a game last week against Edmonton.

"I'm just trying to be ready for each game, because I didn't know I was playing today until I got here," Blackburn said. "The third period was tough. It seemed like we didn't win a draw in the whole period, and they were just standing back at the blue line and blasting shots."

The 36-year-old Richter practiced with the Rangers on Sunday when they The 36-year-old Richter practiced with the Rangers on Sunday when they arrived in California from Columbus, but did not feel well afterward and remained at the team hotel rather than participating in the morning skate in San Jose on Monday.

Richter has yet to undergo a baseline test for a concussion and did not think one was necessary. That could change now, though, thanks to this latest setback.

In the meantime, minor-league goaltender Johan Holmqvist will serve as Blackburn's backup.

New York also played its first game without the services of head coach Bryan Trottier, who began a two-game suspension from the NHL stemming from his actions at the end of Saturday's loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets.

"We missed Bryan, but we tried to adhere to his game plan," said Jim Schoenfeld, who ran the team along with fellow assistant Terry O'Reilly. "Hopefully, he's pleased with the way we pulled it off."

Rem Murray scored twice for the Rangers and continues to be the sole producer on a line that contains superstars Eric Lindros and Pavel Bure. Lindros saw his goal-drought swell to 13 games, while Bure failed to light the lamp in his seventh straight contest.

"Bryan told me not to change anything about my game just because of who I'm playing with," said Murray, who now has five goals in his last six games. "We got an encouraging result. I don't think we've been paying the price like we need to."

Brian Leetch, Ronald Petrovicky and Ted Donato also scored for New York.

WHAT'S AHEAD

The Rangers will continue their four-game road trip on Thursday in Calgary before closing out the set in Vancouver on Saturday.