Lindros Put on Injured Reserve

It was a difficult day all around for the New York Rangers.

Sean Brown had the first two-goal game of his career and the Edmonton Oilers, boosted by Ryan Smyth’s surprise return from injury, defeated the Rangers, 4-1, Wednesday night.

While the Oilers celebrated Smyth’s return, the Rangers played without Eric Lindros, who was put on injured reserve by the club after being examined by a neurologist.

Lindros, who suffered the seventh concussion of his career at San Jose on Friday, won’t be eligible to return until Saturday at Pittsburgh.

“I will just keep riding the bike and if things go well I will get my skates on as soon as possible and get back out there,” Lindros said. “Things are going along pretty well.”

Brown, a stay-at-home defenseman, also had 11 penalty minutes in the game, including five for fighting Matthew Barnaby in the first period.

Jason Smith and Anson Carter added third-period insurance goals for the Oilers, who are 3-1-1 in their last five.

Radek Dvorak scored for the Rangers, who have lost two in a row after a three-game winning streak.

Smyth returned after sitting out 21 games with a fractured right ankle.

The team had said nothing about his return before pregame introductions.

He was hurt on Nov. 16 and was expected to be out up to 12 weeks. Instead, he was back after seven.