Blueshirts' comeback falls short as win streak ended

2011-12 Game No. 24; Home Game No. 10	Rangers' Record: 15-6-3
VIDEO: TORTORELLA POSTGAME
• Highlight of Game		• Foxwoods Final Five

GAME RECAP Associated Press Phil Kessel had two assists to add to his NHL-leading point total, and the Toronto Maple Leafs snapped the Rangers' five-game winning streak with a 4-2 victory Monday. The Maple Leafs scored twice in less than two minutes to take a 3-0 lead early in the second period, then gave both goals back in another quick burst later in the period. Jonas Gustavsson made 12 saves in the third to preserve the one-goal margin, repeatedly turning the Blueshirts away on a power play in the final minute before David Steckel scored an empty-net goal with 5 seconds left. Cody Franson, Tim Connolly and Joffrey Lupul also had goals for the Leafs. The Rangers had won seven straight at home. Their only two regulation losses at Madison Square Garden this season are to Toronto, which also won 4-2 in New York's home opener Oct. 27. The Rangers made it a one-goal deficit again with two scores in 92 seconds. Artem Anisimov pulled them within 3-1 with 7 minutes left in the period, with assists from Brandon Prust and Michael Del Zotto. Just over a minute later, the Rangers had a 5-on-3 advantage, and they needed only 20 seconds to score, with Marian Gaborik making it 3-2.

PHOTO OF THE GAME STAT OF THE GAME The Rangers out-hit the Maple Leafs, 41-27, and now rank third in the league with 646 hits on the season. THREE STARS (selected by newyorkrangers.com) 1. Anisimov 2. Fedotenko 3. Del Zotto

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THE BIGGER PICTURE There is such a thing as a bad loss, but this wasn't one of them. Down 3-0, the Rangers not only made a game of it, but forced Toronto to play its best defensive game and get outstanding goaltending just to avoid overtime. The team showed lots of heart in this one.

RANGERS LEADERS Icetime -- Girardi (25:39) Shots -- Anisimov (7) Hits -- Del Zotto, Callahan (7) Blocks -- Del Zotto, McDonagh (3) Takeaways -- Five players tied (1) Faceoffs -- Richards (29)

NEW YORK RANGERS LINEUP VS. TORONTO
FORWARD LINES
Left Wing	Center	Right Wing
Ruslan Fedotenko	Brad Richards	Ryan Callahan
Artem Anisimov	Derek Stepan	Marian Gaborik
Carl Hagelin	Brian Boyle	John Mitchell
Sean Avery	Brandon Dubinsky	Brandon Prust

DEFENSE PAIRINGS
Left Defense	Right Defense
Ryan McDonagh	Dan Girardi
Michael Del Zotto	Michael Sauer
Jeff Woywitka	Steve Eminger
Goaltenders: Henrik Lundqvist, Martin Biron Starting Lineup: Lundqvist, McDonagh, Girardi, Fedotenko, Richards, Callahan.

POWER PLAY UNITS
FORWARD LINES
Left Wing	Center	Right Wing
Ryan Callahan	Brad Richards	Marian Gaborik
Artem Anisimov	Brandon Dubinsky	Mitchell/Boyle

POINT MEN
Left Point	Right Point
Michael Del Zotto	Derek Stepan
Ryan McDonagh	Dan Girardi

PENALTY KILLING UNITS
FORWARD UNITS
Forward	Forward
Brandon Prust	Brian Boyle
Ryan Callahan	Brandon Dubinsky
Artem Anisimov	Derek Stepan

DEFENSE PAIRINGS
Left Defense	Right Defense
Ryan McDonagh	Dan Girardi
Michael Del Zotto	Michael Sauer