The last hockey miracle occurred in Lake Placid a little over 26 years ago. Another one needs to happen tonight for Jaromir Jagr to suit up for Game Three against the Devils.

“It would be a miracle," Jagr proclaimed after not practicing again yesterday. "It's better, but you cannot play hockey like that. You can't do anything. Just too much pain. There's a lot of risk [of further injury], but then I don't really worry about the risk -- it's the pain. It stops me from doing anything."

Jagr, who sustained what is only termed by the team as an “upper body injury,” may not even be able to play in Game Four on Saturday or even beyond, if the Rangers are able to pull out one of the next two games at Madison Square Garden.

"There is so much speculation around that situation," coach Tom Renney said about his star. "If he plays again in the series, [using him just on the power play] would certainly be something to consider. But I don't anticipate that too soon, that's for sure. We've got to get to the point where he feels like he can even play and right now that's not the case.”

Without their leading scorer, the Rangers will try to get back in their series against the cross-Hudson rivals. Down 2-0, the Blueshirts have to correct their mistakes, which plagued them during the series. If they can stay out of the penalty box and play better special teams, the teams does feel confident in their chances.

"It's not easy because you're facing a very good defense plus Marty Brodeur,” Jagr said. “We made some mistakes that might cost us the game. The momentum is on their side. Even if they don't play 100 percent or play their best hockey, they have the confidence to win. I remember we had it during the year when we won 11 of 13; they have it right now because they won 13 straight. Everything can change in a day or a minute. It's a matter of time ... You can do it, you only need a little luck. And the fans are going to help."

With the Garden Faithful out in force tonight, Renney said he was leaning towards putting Henrik Lundqvist back in net. After letting in 11 goals in his two games back from a hip flexor injury, the rookie goaltender was replaced with Kevin Weekes for Game Two. But because of his relationship with the hometown fans, the Swede is expected to get a boost.

“My hip is 100%," Lundqvist said, but thought his recent problems are more mental. “Basically I feel good out there, I feel sharp. I just need to get focused 100%. When I play, I think a lot. I try to locate [the puck], and when something happens, I'm already there. But when you're not 100% mentally ready, you're late sometimes, and it's hard to be late at this stage. When you're out for a couple of weeks the hardest part is to get back mentally."

Renney also is thinking about scratching Sandis Ozolinsh, because of his problems in the first two games, which resulted in breakaways and goals.

“We'll wait and see,” Renney said. “I don't want to tip my hand too early on exactly what the line-up might look like. You get something and you give up something with guys like Sandis. You have to weigh out what your needs are and what might be your best interests in the long term."

Fair enough, but if the Russian high wire act is playing, he must be perfect with the rest of the Rangers in order for them to pull off the Game Three win.

Or maybe, they just need to pray for a miracle.

Additional reporting by Dubi Silverstein of the Blueshirt Bulletin.