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A few updates as the Rangers get ready to take on the darlings of Versus tonight at MSG:

Andrew Gross at Ranger Rants has some notes from this morning's skate: (click link for full story)

Well-attended optional skate here this morning at the MSG Training Center with goalie Henrik Lundqvist (who will start tonight), defensemen Wade Redden and Marc Staal and forwards Sean Avery and Christopher Higgins not on the ice.

Speaking of Versus' favorite hockey team, check this stat out, courtesy of Mr. Gross:

Tonight’s game is being broadcast by Versus and Ovechkin has six goals, two assists and is a plus-7 in the Capitals’ three previous Versus games

The Long Island Press also takes a look at the Rangers first 20 games: (click link for full story)

Upon closer inspection, the recent 4-7-1 malaise might be more representative of this club than the 7-1 start and the current pace they’re on is simply one headed toward yet another mad scramble just to qualify for the post-season. Can’t imaging this is what GM Glen Sather had in mind when he basically overhauled the roster this summer.

More after the jump.......

Varlamov will start in goal for the Caps tonight, Jose Theodore has left the team for personal reasons.

For more on the Caps, check out Japers Rink, the SBNation home of the Washington Capitals.

Markus Naslund has un-retired to play with Modo of the Swedish Elite League, the same team Peter Forsberg is playing for.

Here is the Wolf Pack watch from Rangers.com. Chad Johnson has two straight shutouts, and Bobby Sangs continues to tear it up.

Corey Locke has 24 points in 17 games for Hartford. Corey Locke is a center. The Rangers are thin at center. Are we surrrrrrre Corey Locke couldn't help a little? We may never find out at this point.

Don't forget, if you are going to the game tonight, Theo Fleury at Borders at 2 Penn Plaza signing copies of his book "Playing with Fire". Keep an eye out for The Mouth, he is expected to be hanging around as well.