Associated Press
Derek Stepan and Marian Gaborik both scored tiebreaking goals in the third period, and the Rangers held on to beat the Boston Bruins 4-3 on Sunday at Madison Square Garden.
Gaborik gave the Rangers a 3-2 lead 3:14 into the third with his 32nd goal, but David Krejci tied it for Boston at 11:42. The Bruins barely had time to celebrate before Stepan ripped a drive from the left circle that sailed past stunned goalie Tim Thomas and under the crossbar 39 seconds later.
The Rangers topped Boston for the fifth straight time, dating to last season, and opened a 12-point lead over the defending Stanley Cup champion Bruins in the Eastern Conference playoff race. The Blueshirts' closest pursuer is Atlantic Division-rival Pittsburgh, which is 10 points behind.
Gaborik put the Rangers in front after Boston defenseman Dennis Seidenberg tried to get the puck out of danger behind the Bruins net. Seidenberg banked the puck off the end boards, but it caromed right to Gaborik, who made a quick shift from forward to backhand at the left post and scored past Thomas.
The Rangers were held to only 17 shots, but got the best of Thomas, who lost for the second straight day. Thomas came on in relief Saturday against the New York Islanders after starter Tuukka Rask was injured. Boston was beaten for the seventh time in 11 games (4-6-1).
Henrik Lundqvist made 30 saves and bounced back from a 4-3 overtime loss at Tampa Bay on Friday. Anton Stralman and Carl Hagelin also scored for the Rangers, who have won nine of 13 (9-2-2).
Benoit Pouliot and Jordan Caron had the other goals for Boston.
• COMMENT ON BLUESHIRTS UNITED | PHOTO GALLERY
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STATS OF THE GAME
The Rangers extended their winning streak against Boston to five games, and have won nine of their last 11 meetings with the Bruins. The Blueshirts are now 3-0-0 against the Bruins this season. Their overall 22-7-2 (46 points) mark at MSG is their best record at home through 31 games since 1993-94 (21-6-4, 46 points).
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| (selected by newyorkrangers.com) |
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| 1. Stepan |
2. Gaborik |
3. Staal |
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[49-29-4]
[51-24-7]