17 seconds of ice time in 21 shifts of the Rangers 4-3 victory over the Washington Capitals in Game 3 of the best-of-seven, first-round series. N

NEW YORK -- Key defenceman Marc Staal returned to the New York Rangers lineup Monday night for the first time since he was struck near his right eye by a deflected puck on March 5. Staal logged 17 minutes, 17 seconds of ice time in 21 shifts of the Rangers 4-3 victory over the Washington Capitals in Game 3 of the best-of-seven, first-round series. New York still trails 2-1 in the matchup, but can get even with a win in Game 4 on Wednesday night at Madison Square Garden. "I thought I would be more nervous than I was," said Staal, who wore a visor. "I felt pretty good going into the game, and I think the confidence is going to grow the more Im out there and the more Im in game situations. "Ill feel a lot better next game." Rangers coach John Tortorella certainly wasnt going to wait any longer to get Staal right back into the heart of the action. Once Staal was given the go-ahead to play, Tortorella took advantage of the much-needed lineup addition. "Even before you step on the ice, it really helps the room," Tortorella said. "Hes so well-respected. Hes so well-liked. There are times when you can tell its going to take a little bit to totally get back, but he made some really big plays at key times, too. "Just the speed of the game is what hes going to have to get used to." Staals return came at a critical time for the Rangers, who were in desperate need of a win after losing the first two games of the series in Washington and mustered only one goal in the process. "Its huge," forward Derek Stepan said of Staals return. "He makes the D-core calm. Hes got a presence about him that he can just control a game. He did a great job. Early on, I think he had a little bit of the jitters, but he found a way to just get back to himself." The Madison Square Garden crowd cheered wildly when Staal was shown on the centre-ice video board as part of the starting lineup before the national anthem. "Once we knew he could play, he was going in the top four (defencemen)," Tortorella said. Steve Eminger was scratched from the lineup to make room for Staal, who was on the ice for Jay Beagles tying goal for Washington in the third period. Rangers forward Ryane Clowe (suspected concussion) remained out, and New York also lost Darroll Powe in the first period when the forward was elbowed in the head by Washingtons Joel Ward. Powe remained down on the ice briefly after the hit as play went on. He then gingerly made his way to the bench and didnt play the final 11:18 of the period. The Rangers said in between periods that Powes return was questionable, but he didnt get back onto the ice. Powe played only two shifts, totalling 2:33 of ice time. Custom Miami Marlins Jerseys . LOUIS -- The New Orleans Saints looked like a team playing out the string. 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RALEIGH, N.C. -- The Carolina Hurricanes dont expect to see the same Washington Capitals team that a month ago jumpstarted their current seven-game home winning streak.For starters, the Capitals will be rested and not coming off a tough road game at Chicago the night before, and Washington is now one of the hotter teams in the league, having won five straight over an eight-day span.Were very familiar with them because theyre a team we play a lot in our division, and theyve certainly got it going, Carolina coach Bill Peters said. There are lots of teams that have it going in the Metro (Division) and they are one of them.We know what were up against, especially teams that are on fire now, but that goes both ways, Peters added. Were up to sixth now in the league on the power play so were going to be aggressive and push the pace.In addition to Washingtons winning streak in the Eastern Conference, Philadelphia has won 10 straight, while Pittsburgh and Columbus have each strung together seven wins in a row.Carolinas home winning streak is impressive and has included wins over division leaders Montreal and San Jose, and a Washington team that was only able to generate 21 shots in a 5-1 loss at PNC Arena on Nov. 12.Teams change lots in the course of a month, Peters said when asked about the Capitals recent success. They change for numerous reasons, you change because of health issues, scheduling issues, playing better or playing worse -- one or the other. Right now, there are lots of teams gaining traction and playing better than they were earlier in the year.Carolina extended its home winning streak on Tuessday night with a wild, 8-6 victory over Vancouver in which goalie Cam Ward was pulled.dddddddddddd Peters said hell be going back to his starter in net Friday night, giving Ward his 17 th start in the last 19 games.It looked like the puck was a 10-pound weight on our stick the other night and when we pulled (Cam) it was by no means a reflection on the goaltending, I was looking for a spark, Peters said.Were going right back to Wardo.Ward has 37 career starts against Washington, including a career-high four shutouts against an opponent.Washington has outscored its opposition 18-8 during its five-game winning streak in which the Capitals have climbed within four points of Pittsburgh for the Metropolitan Division lead.Were getting contributions throughout the whole lineup and it makes life a lot easier, Washington coach Barry Trotz said. It has started to show some consistency.Washington has allowed the third fewest goals in the NHL.And Washington has done a lot of its damage recently without punch from Alex Ovechkin, who has 1 goal and two assists during the winning streak.One interesting matchup to watch Friday night will be Washingtons power play, which has converted on 5 of 10 chances over the last three games, against the No. 1 penalty killing unit in the league. Carolina has allowed just two power play goals since Oct. 28, running at a 92.3 percent clip for the season.The power play has been really key for us, especially when the outcome is still in doubt, Trotz said. ' ' '