Rangers put an end to hot Lightning team's streak

2013 Game No. 8; Road Game No. 3	Rangers' Record: 4-4-0
VIDEO: HIGHLIGHT OF THE GAME
• Full Highlights | Tortorella | Nash, Staal, Biron		• Hagelin | Melrose CU Save of Game
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GAME RECAP Facing perhaps the hottest team in the NHL, and the most prolific offense in the league so far this year, the Rangers put forth their finest all-around performance of the season, skating away with their first road victory of the season, a 3-2 come-from-behind win over the Tampa Bay Lightning on Saturday night. Rick Nash snapped a 1-1 tie 3:04 into the third period, scoring his second goal of the season. Nash blew past Tampa bay defenseman Victor Hedman on right wing, bulled to the net, and beat goaltender Mathieu Garon to the far side of the net to give the Rangers their first lead of the night. Martin Biron made his first start of the season in goal for the Rangers and turned in an excellent outing, finishing with 30 saves, as the Blueshirts improved to 4-4-0 on the season -- now 1-2-0 on the road. Tampa Bay, which lost for the first time in six games, was coming off an 8-3 victory over Winnipeg on Friday. Carl Hagelin provided the much-sought-after breathing room by scoring his first goal of the season at 14:47 of the third period to put the Rangers ahead 3-1. Hagelin sped to the low slot to poke a perfect lead pass from Taylor Pyatt under Garon's pads for his first goal since March 15 of a year ago. When Steven Stamkos scored his second goal of the game, with 21 seconds to play, Hagelin's goal ended up being the game-winner. After a scoreless first period, the two teams traded goals in an exciting second period, and headed to the third tied 1-1, with New York holding a 26-17 advantage in shots. Stamkjis produced the first goal of the game 4:22 into the middle period, and Derek Stepan chipped in a loose puck by the crease to tie the game 1-1 at 9:50. • COMMENT ON BLUESHIRTS UNITED | PHOTO GALLERY

PHOTO OF THE GAME STATS OF THE GAME Seven of the last eight meetings between the Rangers and Lightning have been decided by one goal, and the Rangers have now registered a point in 14 of their last 17 games against Tampa Bay. They are 10-3-4 over the span, dating back to a 2-1 win at Tampa on Oct. 4, 2008. THREE STARS (selected by the newyorkrangers.com) 1. Nash 2. Stepan 3. Hagelin

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THE BIGGER PICTURE This game showed that the Rangers have fully regained the identity that led them to success last year. And they did it without Henrik Lundqvist and Ryan Callahan, too. And clearly the Rick Nash factor gives this team a big something it lacked a year ago.

RANGERS LEADERS Icetime -- McDonagh (25:55) Shots -- Nash (6) Hits -- Staal (5) Blocks -- Staal (3) Takeaways -- McDonagh (2) Faceoffs -- Richards (25)

NEW YORK RANGERS LINEUP AT TAMPA BAY
FORWARD LINES
Left Wing	Center	Right Wing
Marian Gaborik	Brad Richards	Rick Nash
Carl Hagelin	Derek Stepan	Taylor Pyatt
Arron Asham	Brian Boyle	Jeff Halpern
Mike Rupp	Benn Ferriero	Stu Bickel

DEFENSE PAIRINGS
Left Defense	Right Defense
Ryan McDonagh	Dan Girardi
Marc Staal	Michael Del Zotto
Anton Stralman	Matt Gilroy
Goaltenders: Martin Biron, Henrik Lundqvist Starting Lineup: Biron, Staal, Del Zotto, Gaborik, Richards, Nash.

POWER PLAY UNITS
FORWARD LINES
Left Wing	Center	Right Wing
Rick Nash	Brad Richards	Marian Gaborik
Taylor Pyatt	Derek Stepan	Carl Hagelin

POINT MEN
Left Point	Right Point
Michael Del Zotto	Dan Girardi
Marc Staal	Anton Stralman

PENALTY KILLING UNITS
FORWARD UNITS
Forward	Forward
Jeff Halpern	Brian Boyle
Rick Nash	Carl Hagelin

DEFENSE PAIRINGS
Left Defense	Right Defense
Ryan McDonagh	Dan Girardi