(My Sportsbook) - The New York Rangers will aim for a fourth consecutive victory when they host the Florida Panthers this afternoon at Madison Square Garden in the finale of a home-and-home series.

The Rangers, who lead the Atlantic Division and are tied with Boston for the top spot in the Eastern Conference with 36 points, will try today for their longest winning streak since also posting four straight victories from October 24-30. This afternoon's test is also the final game of the month for the Blueshirts, who have recorded a 7-5-1 record in November after going 10-2-1 in October.

Henrik Lundqvist recorded 38 saves and Nikolai Zherdev had the game-winner in the shootout, as New York notched a 4-3 win over the Panthers in the first portion of the home-and-home Friday night in Florida.

Zherdev, Aaron Voros and Dan Fritsche each scored in regulation for the Rangers, who have also won six of their last eight contests. It was the second straight game in which Zherdev found shootout success, as he scored the game- clincher in New York's 3-2 win over Tampa Bay on Wednesday.

Craig Anderson was solid while stopping 43-of-46 shots for the Panthers, who have lost four of five. Jay Bouwmeester, David Booth and Radek Dvorak each lit the lamp in the loss.

After not capitalizing on a power play in overtime, the Rangers followed up Rostislav Olesz's back-handed goal past Lundqvist to begin the shootout with two straight between the pads of Anderson.

Markus Naslund and Zherdev each went five-hole in his attempt, and Lundqvist denied Stephen Weiss and Michael Frolik to seal the win.

The Panthers began the 2008-09 season with a modest 4-3-0 record, but have won just four times in 15 games (4-8-3) since then. Florida has just 19 points on the year and is tied for last in the Southeast Division along with Tampa Bay and Atlanta.

The Rangers are 10-4-1 as the host this year and have won three of their last four in the Big Apple. Florida, meanwhile, is just 3-8-1 on the road and has been defeated in two straight and seven of nine away from Bank Atlantic Center.

New York has won two of three, three of five and five of the last eight meetings with the Panthers. Florida, meanwhile, has lost three straight, seven of eight and nine of its last 11 games at MSG.