Rangers Start to Clean House

With only four games left and the playoffs virtually out of reach for the third consecutive season, the New York Rangers on Tuesday fired General Manager Neil Smith and Coach John Muckler.

Smith, in his 11th year as general manager and president, was in charge when the Rangers won the 1994 Stanley Cup--ending a 54-year drought.

Muckler was in his second full season as New York’s coach after getting the job on Feb. 19, 1998. He replaced the fired Colin Campbell.

Assistant John Tortorella will coach the team through the final four games of the regular season. Dave Checketts, Madison Square Garden president, said a general manager will be hired and he will pick the next coach.

GAMES

Alexei Kovalev scored a tiebreaking power-play goal as Pittsburgh beat New Jersey, 3-2, Tuesday night at Pittsburgh. New Jersey has lost five of seven, part of a 6-12-1 late-season fade that cost Robbie Ftorek his job as coach. The team is 1-2 since assistant Larry Robinson took over last Thursday. . . . Mike Keane scored one of Dallas’ two short-handed goals and added two assists as the Stars extended their road unbeaten streak to six games with a 4-2 victory over host Tampa Bay. . . . Washington nearly blew a three-goal lead before Ulf Dahlen’s two insurance goals clinched a 5-2 victory over Atlanta at Washington. . . . Kevin Miller scored his first two goals to help Ottawa beat Philadelphia, 5-2, at Kanata, Canada. . . . Nashville withstood a late rally by the New York Islanders to win, 3-2, at Nashville.