Associated Press
Ryan Callahan ripped a shot in off a goal post 2:42 into overtime to lift the Eastern Conference-leading Rangers over Detroit 2-1 on Wednesday night, sending the Red Wings to a sixth straight loss.
The Rangers turned up the heat in the extra session and finally got a puck past Ty Conklin, who was recalled from the minor leagues because of Detroit's injury woes. Callahan fired a shot from the slot for his 27th goal, making the Rangers captain a winner on his 27th birthday.
Henrik Lundqvist made 26 saves, and Brad Richards scored in the first period for the Rangers, who lead Pittsburgh by three points in the East.
Henrik Zetterberg gave Detroit an early 1-0 lead, and Conklin made 32 saves, but the Red Wings had to settle for one point.
It wasn't until noon on Wednesday that the Red Wings knew they would have Conklin in goal after calling him up from Grand Rapids of the AHL on an emergency basis. Conklin had to pass through re-entry waivers, meaning any NHL team could have claimed him before he could rejoin Detroit.
The Rangers' power play has shown some renewed life lately, and Richards did all the work on it to get them even at 1-1.
After Lundqvist stopped the puck and left it behind the Rangers net, Richards took it and streaked up the middle of the ice. He weaved his way through the Detroit zone, splitting defensemen Niklas Kronwall and Brad Stuart -- who flailed at him as he blew past them -- and slid a shot that eluded Conklin with 5:02 left in the first period for his 24th goal of the season.
• COMMENT ON BLUESHIRTS UNITED | PHOTO GALLERY
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STAT OF THE GAME
The Blueshirts' 26-9-2 (54 points) mark at Madison Square Garden is their best record at home through 37 games since 1991-92 (25-8-4, 54 points). The Rangers record for home victories in one season is 30, set in 1970-71. The current team could tie that record by winning all four of its remaining home games. |
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| (selected by newyorkrangers.com) |
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| 1. Lundqvist |
2. Callahan |
3. Del Zotto |
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[48-28-6]
[51-24-7]