Injuries? What injuries?

That's probably what the Vancouver Canucks are thinking after they notched their third win in four games on Tuesday, as goalie Andrew Raycroft continued to stay solid in net during a 4-1 victory over the visiting New York Rangers.

Rick Rypien scored the winner short-handed at 8:48 of the third period by firing a cross-ice pass from Ryan Kesler into the top corner past Rangers goalie Henrik Lundqvist, sending the 18,818 on hand at General Motors Place into a frenzy.

"This team has a lot of character, a lot of grit and a lot of hard work," said Kesler, who had three assists. "Obviously, we got beat pretty bad in Anaheim [on Friday], but we came right back and put our work boots on and didn't get discouraged."

Raycroft, who started his fourth straight game in place of the injured Roberto Luongo, was good when he needed to be and was helped by some tight team defence, as the Canucks held the Rangers to 23 shots and fired 29 at Lundqvist.

"[Raycroft's] been huge for us the last two games," said Kesler. "He's really proven himself. He's a great guy in the locker-room."

His play is helping to insulate a squad that still finds itself without some of its top forwards. Seven Canucks sat out with injuries, forcing veteran defenceman Kevin Bieksa to play both forward and on the blue-line Tuesday.

Mikael Samuelsson added an insurance marker at 14:13 of the third on the power play, as he banged home a rebound for his second of the night and team-leading eighth overall.

Raycroft, who came into the game with a 1.66 goals-against average and .932 save percentage, has allowed just two goals in his three victories in Vancouver's crease.

Meanwhile, New York continues to plummet after starting the season 7-1-0. The Rangers only have two wins in their last eight games.

Samuelsson opened the scoring at 18:43 of the first, whacking in another rebound when Kessler's shot was stopped by Lundqvist.

After the goal, Raycroft stayed strong in the second, preserving the 1-0 lead by stopping Brandon Dubinsky in close, along with Christopher Higgins and Dan Girardi on dangerous shots.

New York tied the game 1-1 in the third, thanks to a goal from Higgins at 6:24, after a melee between the two teams ended with the Rangers on a power play.

The heated scrum began during a stoppage 4:21 into the third, involving 10 Ranger skaters and seven Canucks on the ice. The two benches got involved as well, and at the end of it, the referees handed out five 10-minute misconducts and one minor penalty to Vancouver.

It was the Rangers' first visit to Vancouver in almost two years. The teams have only played each other six times since Jan. 16, 2002.

Henrik Sedin added an empty-netter for the Canucks with 1:24 to go in the game.

Canucks starter Luongo is still recovering from a rib injury that has kept him out of the last four games. He's expected to return to action on the upcoming five-game road trip.

Tuesday's game marked Vancouver's 270th consecutive sellout at GM Place.