Rangers centre Scott Gomez out versus Devils with leg injury

NEWARK, N.J. - New York Rangers centre Scott Gomez missed Wednesday night's game against his former New Jersey Devils teammates because of a painful leg injury.

Gomez, who didn't practice Tuesday, is considered day to day. An MRI exam didn't reveal any broken bones, but the pain was enough to force the skilled playmaker to sit out for the first time this season.

"It's just pain," Rangers coach Tom Renney said. "It's precautionary as much as anything, but if it compromises the player or the team, you have to do the right thing.

"He's skating hard. He's working hard. As far as being able to play, I don't know, but he's certainly been playing hard."

A rib injury last season, his first with the Rangers after spending his first seven in the NHL with New Jersey, forced him to miss one game.

Gomez posted three goals and 10 assists in 18 games this season and his 13 points put him in second place on the team in scoring. However, he managed only one assist in the past six - a stretch in which the slumping Rangers went 2-3-1 following a 9-2-1 start.