Now that the Rangers have picked up their first win in 2008 – and snapped a five-game losing streak with a 4-1 victory over the Canadiens at the Garden Saturday night, the Blueshirts travel to Pittsburgh tonight looking to start their first winning streak of the new year.

Though they have struggled to score goals throughout the season, the Rangers’ most recent problems have centered on an inability to keep the puck out of their own net. After Henrik Lundqvist dominated early this season, he has allowed 35 goals over his last 10 games, a stretch in which the Blueshirts have gone an underwhelming 3-5-2.

Before Saturday’s game, in which he made 18 saves, the last time Lundqvist had allowed fewer than two goals in a game was Dec. 18, when he shut out Pittsburgh at the Garden.

One Ranger who has been playing at full throttle lately is Scott Gomez. The Blueshirts’ lone All-Star, who assisted on Martin Straka’s goal Saturday, registered a career-high 13-game point streak from Dec. 6, 2007 through Jan. 2, 2008, and has recorded a point in 16 of his last 18 games.

Nigel Dawes also recorded his first points since he was recalled from Hartford Jan. 7. The winger had a goal and an assist against the Canadiens, and has six goals and two assists in 24 games this season.

After tonight’s game, the Rangers play four of their next five at home before the All-Star break.