DALLAS _ Injuries are mounting and losses keep coming.
Now missing five regulars with Jimmy Vesey concussed and Marc Staal with a cervical strain, and with a likely sell-off looming, the Rangers on Monday were defeated once again, losing 2-1 to the Stars. The Blueshirts (25-23-5) have lost three straight since the All-Star break, six of their last seven and nine of their last 12.
Martin Hanzal scored the go-ahead goal on a power play 2:05 into the third with a tip in front of a Julius Honka shot from the blue line.
Despite being outshot 21-9 in the first period, the Rangers took a 1-0 lead into the intermission thanks to Henrik Lundqvist and a goal by David Desharnais with 2:05 left in the period.
Tyler Seguin brought Dallas level at 14:44 of the second, ringing a shot off the left post and in during a delayed-penalty six-on-five situation. The Rangers were out-attempted 67-36 through two periods.
Vesey and Staal, who were each injured on unpenalized head shots during Saturday night's game in Nashville, joined Chris Kreider (blood clot, rib resection,) Kevin Shattenkirk (meniscus surgery) and Pavel Buchnevich (concussion) on the injured list. Vesey was at the arena doing an off-ice workout Monday morning while Staal remained at the team's hotel. The severity of Staal's injury isn't yet known and there's no timetable for either player.
"Hopefully they'll fly back with us (Tuesday)," Vigneault said.
Vinni Lettieri, who remained with AHL Hartford after the All-Star break but was recalled Sunday, dressed for Vesey while Steven Kampfer replaced Staal.
