Rangers try to get in W column vs. unbeaten Bruins

BRUINS (2-0-0) at RANGERS (0-2-0)

TV: NBCSN

Season series: This is the second of three meetings. On Saturday, the Bruins cruised to a 3-1 victory at TD Garden.

Big story: A three-game losing streak is barely a streak and nothing to fret about during an 82-game season. But in a 48-game season, it’s a much bigger deal -- and something the Rangers need to avoid against a quality opponent like Boston. Last season, the Rangers lost three straight in regulation just once.

Team Scope:

Bruins: Taking over for a Vezina/Conn Smythe winner, Tuukka Rask has acquitted himself quite well.

Tim Thomas isn't playing this season, two years after winning those awards, and Rask has run with the starting job. He's 2-0-0 and has allowed just two goals on 48 shots.

"Our 'D' has done a good job (in the) first game, (and) this game," Rask told reporters after beating Winnipeg 2-1 in a shootout Monday. "I think our 'D' did a great job getting pucks out and blocking those shots. We missed [Dennis Seidenberg]. We needed a new guy to step up and (Aaron) Johnson did a great job."

Seidenberg practiced Tuesday and should be ready to face the Rangers.

Rangers: The Rangers have allowed nine goals in losing their first two games. They did that only once last season -- in Games 81 and 82 against the Penguins (5-2 loss) and Capitals (4-1 loss).

New York has been sloppy in all three zones, but for coach John Tortorella, it's less about execution through two games and more about mental toughness.

"The only thing we should focus on is our mindset," Tortorella told reporters after Tuesday's practice. "Somewhere along the way, the mindset, if there is even one there, is the wrong one and that's what needs to be corrected right now, so hopefully we touched upon the right things today and we have an understanding of where we need to be mentally."

Who's hot: Through two games, it's all about Rask. Nine Bruins are tied for the team lead in points with one. … Brad Richards has three points (one goal) in two games for the Rangers.

Injury report: While Seidenberg returned Tuesday, forward Brad Marchand was absent from practice. He was replaced by Jay Pandolfo, but Marchand is expected to play in this game. … The Rangers were without Arron Asham (groin) at practice Tuesday. Defenseman Stu Bickel skated on the fourth line, something he did several times last season. Steve Eminger and Matt Gilroy split time as the sixth defenseman.