11.   One answer for this struggle is the absence of Sergei Zubov, the attacking defenseman who works the right point when the Rangers have an extra man.

12.   On offense, Messier is supported by Graves and by the attacking defenseman Brian Leetch.

13.   Paul Coffey, their attacking defenseman, missed the third period Tuesday with what were called back spasms.

14.   Ozolinsh, an attacking defenseman, came from San Jose early in the season.

15.   The Devils played their second consecutive game without Scott Niedermayer, their attacking defenseman, who is recovering from a concussion.

16.   The Devils played again without Scott Niedermayer, their attacking defenseman, who missed his second consecutive game with post-concussion symptoms.

17.   The Flyers played without Paul Coffey, their attacking defenseman.

18.   The Rangers expect to be buoyed by the return of Sergei Zubov, the attacking defenseman who has missed three weeks after wrist surgery.

19.   This factor was evident in the play of Sergei Zubov, an attacking defenseman who was occasionally overwhelmed by the forechecking of the bigger Flyer forwards.

20.   Zubov, an attacking defenseman, is best in the opposing zone, not his own.