Chris Mcgrath / Getty Images

Detroit's Pavel Datsyuk, right, is congratulated by teammate Henrik Zetterberg after scoring against the Rangers on Monday.

That put another crimp in the Rangers’ fading playoff hopes. New York has dropped three straight, seven of 10 and 14 of 21, slipping to fourth in the Atlantic Division and 11th in the Eastern Conference. The loss, in the only NHL game Monday night, left the Rangers five points out of a playoff spot with 29 games left.

“There’s lots of hockey left but we’re digging ourselves a hole,” Shanahan said.

And it could get deeper.

The Rangers have been looking for a center to play with Shanahan all season, and they acquired noted agitator Sean Avery from the Los Angeles Kings before the game. But now they might have to play without leading scorer Jaromir Jagr, who injured a hip flexor and is questionable for Tuesday’s game at New Jersey.

Shanahan, who had 309 goals in nine seasons with Detroit and ranks eighth in Red Wings history with 633 points, has rediscovered his early season scoring touch.

After tallying just one goal in 14 games, Shanahan has three in four contests. His shot from the right circle sailed over the right shoulder of Hasek, who gave just a cursory wave with his glove, for his team-leading 27th goal.

Hasek went behind the net on the next shift to chase Martin Straka’s dump-in, but the puck caromed in front to Nylander, who backhanded a shot into the vacated net to make it 2-0.

Datsyuk cut Detroit’s deficit in half at 7:24, but Hossa beat Hasek from nearly the same spot as Shanahan.

Notes: The Red Wings hadn’t won at Madison Square Garden since March 17, 2002. ... The Rangers are 210-258-103-0 against Detroit, including 10-25-4-0 since 1986. ... Hasek has allowed three goals in five of six starts.

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