Rangers beat Coyotes in SO

NEW YORK — Rangers goalie Henrik Lundqvist was just about to skate off with New York down to its last shootout chance against the Phoenix Coyotes. Then he realized sharpshooter Marion Gaborik was poised at center ice.

Gaborik didn't disappoint, scoring to keep the shootout going and leading to Derek Stepan's sixth-round game-winner to lift the Rangers past the Coyotes 2-1 for their fifth straight win and 10th in 11 games.

"The percentage when you have to score in the shootout isn't good but Gabby has come up with big goals for us all season," said Lundqvist, who won for the seventh straight time. "I felt like we deserved to win this game because we played really well."

Stepan beat Phoenix goalie Mike Smith high to the glove side before Lundqvist stopped Coyotes captain Shane Doan to secure the win. The Rangers improved to 27-9-4 for a league-leading 58 points, the team's best start since 1993-94 when they won their last Stanley Cup.

Smith made a spectacular stick save on Gaborik's penalty shot at 3:10 of overtime. Gaborik went to the forehand and seemingly had Smith beat but the goaltender somehow got the handle of his stick on the puck as he sprawled to his right.

Lundqvist made key saves on Ray Whitney and former Ranger Lauri Korpikoski in the last minute of overtime.

"Being able to win a game like this is so important for our confidence," Lundqvist said. "We stayed focused and got it done."

The Rangers continued their strong play at Madison Square Garden, improving to 13-3-2 at home.

"We had guys step up at key times and we found a way to win," Rangers coach John Tortorella said. "Smitty (Mike Smith) played well but Henrik played really well. This was one of those games where we just had to stick with it."

Bruins 5, Jets 3

In Boston, Nathan Horton's second goal of the game keyed the Bruins' three-goal third period.

After Horton scored 8 seconds into the final period, Tyler Seguin and Benoit Pouliot followed over the next 6:33 to lift Boston in a game that featured a penalty shot by both teams.

Flyers 2, Hurricanes 1

In Raleigh, North Carolina, Sean Couturier scored the tiebreaking goal 3:23 into the third period.

Senators 5, Penguins 1

In Pittsburgh, Milan Michalek scored twice, Craig Anderson stopped 29 shots and Ottawa made quick work of the slumping Penguins.

Maple Leafs 2, Sabres 0

In Toronto, Jonas Gustavsson had 32 saves for his second shutout in three starts.

Islanders 5, Red Wings 1

In Uniondale, New York, John Tavares had a goal and assist in the second period, shortly after being struck in the head with a puck, and Evgeni Nabokov made 23 saves.

Blues 3, Canadiens 0

In Montreal, Jaroslav Halak earned a shutout in his first game back at the Bell Centre and St. Louis extended its winning streak to four.

Canucks 5, Lightning 4 (SO)

In Tampa, Mason Raymond scored the lone goal in the shootout on a spinning backhander.

Wild 5, Sharks 4 (SO)

In St. Paul, Matt Cullen scored in the third period and the first round of a shootout as skidding Minnesota recovered from a late stumble.

Blackhawks 5, Blue Jackets 2

In Chicago, Viktor Stalberg scored three goals for his first NHL hat trick and the Blackhawks beat Columbus to end a season-high four-game losing streak and spoil the debut of interim Blue Jackets coach Todd Richards.

Predators 4, Avalanche 1

In Denver, Pekka Rinne made 32 saves and Martin Erat and Ryan Ellis each had a goal and an assist.

Flames 6, Devils 3

In Calgary, Curtis Glencross had a goal and three assists, and Jarome Iginla added a goal and two assists.

Ducks 5, Stars 2

In Anaheim, Saku Koivu scored two of his three goals on slick setups by Teemu Selanne.

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