N.Y. Ranger Kovalev May Need Surgery

Aleksei Kovalev of the Rangers will skate this morning to test his tender right knee. If he feels no soreness or swelling, he will probably play tonight against the Washington Capitals at Madison Square Garden in the final match of a four-game homestand. If the knee is still painful, he may undergo arthroscopic surgery to remove loose cartilage, a procedure that could idle him for 10 days to two weeks.

An operation could force Kovalev to miss the six-game, 10-day road trip that begins on Thursday and ends with the 16-day Olympics break. It might jeopardize his participation in the Winter Games for the Russian national team in Nagano, Japan. And it could cause a hiatus in the trade rumors that often include his name.

Kovalev missed Saturday’s 3-3 tie with the Devils. In the previous four games, playing right wing on Wayne Gretzky’s line and the point on the power play, Kovalev had two goals and two assists. Although the Rangers have played well in their three home games since the All-Star break, they went only 1-1-1.

With 32 games remaining in the regular season, the Rangers are still five games below .500 and struggling for a playoff berth.

On the ice

Lyle Odelein and Bobby Holik gave New Jersey a two-goal lead as the Devils beat the Montreal Canadiens 3-1 Sunday in Montreal.

Outstanding goaltending from Montreal’s Andy Moog kept the score close as the Devils outshot Montreal 41-20 and improved to 3-0 against the Canadiens this season. Mark Recchi pulled Montreal within a goal when he scored at 12:41 of the third period.

At Washington, Bill Ranford made his first start since Dec. 27 and had 34 saves to beat his former team as the Washington Capitals won their fourth straight game, 4-1 over the Boston Bruins.

Richard Zednik and Adam Oates scored second-period goals for the Capitals, who have won seven of eight and five straight at home.