Rangers’ Kevin Klein out 2-3 weeks with strained abdominal

They needed a win in the worst way, and got one in the worst way, against one of the worst teams in the National Hockey League, snapping a three-game losing streak with an unsightly 4-3 win over the Carolina Hurricanes Monday at the Garden.

Both teams started the first period coming off losses in their last games.

New York Rangers defenseman Kevin Klein will miss 2-3 weeks with a strained oblique muscle, coach Alain Vigneault said Tuesday.

Carolina Hurricanes’ Justin Faulk (27) and New York Rangers’ Rick Nash (61) fight for contro … At this point in the game, the Hurricanes have been out shooting the Rangers. Kreider smacked the puck toward the net from a bad angle and an unprepared Ward watched the puck slide past him for a back-breaking goal. Instead, New York killed the penalty, and Hayes skated out of the box, picked off Ward’s clearing attempt and set up Brassard’s goal with 4:11 left. It was simply one of the most handsome goals. Carolina battled back from a 4-1 deficit to make it a contest at the end. McIlrath has played extremely well in his limited role this season, and has brought a whole new dimension to the Rangers that they haven’t had in quite a while.

It would be a massive stretch to declare the Rangers’ slump over given the woeful level of play of the Hurricanes (8-12-4) and their gift-giving goalie, Cam Ward. Both were awarded coincidental minor penalties which resulted in two minutes of four on four play. Klein’s absence also will result in bruising 23-year-old defenseman Dylan McIlrath getting back into the lineup on a consistent basis, starting with Wednesday night’s primetime matchup against the Islanders at their new home at Brooklyn’s Barclays Center. They snapped a three-game losing streak Monday, mostly by way of some goals gifted to them by fumbling Carolina netminder Cam Ward. There was a little bit of pressure from the Hurricanes which offered a test for the blue-shirts.

The New York Islanders claimed their third win in four, thanks in the main to final period goals from Cal Clutterbuck, Casey Cizikas and Ryan Strome, which helped them defeat the Colorado Avalanche 5-3.

The Rangers already had to adjust play without Derek Stepan due to broken ribs from the last game.

Kevin Klein has been sidelined with an oblique strain.