|
 Nash missed nearly two months with a bone bruise in his leg and
hadn't registered a point in five games since rejoining the team.
Viktor Stalberg and Mats Zuccarello also scored for the Rangers, who
took a two-point lead on the Penguins for second place in the
Metropolitan. Tanner Glass scored into an empy net with 8.2 seconds
remaining to seal the win.
Vincent Trocheck scored for the Panthers, who received 28 saves from
goaltender Al Montoya. Jiri Hudler added a goal with 35.7 seconds
remaining and Montoya on the bench for an extra skater.
A turnover by right winger Jaromir Jagr led to the Rangers' first
goal.
 Jagr was unable to control a puck in his skates, which led to the
Rangers escaping for a 2-on-1. Stalberg took a pass from center
Dominic Moore and tucked a backhand shot through Montoya's legs to
give the Rangers a 1-0 lead at 11:15 of the first period.
Zuccarello's team-leading 23rd goal at 3:33 of the second period
increased the advantage to 2-0. With the Rangers on a power play,
Zuccarello received a pass from center Derick Brassard in the middle
of the penalty-killing box. Before the Panthers could react, he
released a shot that clipped the crossbar and bounced into the net
for a two-goal lead.
Defenseman Steve Kampfer appeared to pull the Panthers to within 2-1
about three minutes into the third period, as he batted a puck out
of the air and into the net. But the goal was waved off for a high
stick, and video review upheld the call.
Trocheck scored one that counted at 13:09 to get the Panthers on the
board. He drove to the net and deflected a pass from left winger
Jussi Jokinen for his 23rd goal of the season.
[to top of second column] |
Nash made it 3-1 at 11:14 with his first goal in six games since
returning from a seven-week absence with a knee injury. He one-timed
a pass from defenseman Kevin Klein that slid under Montoya just as a
power play expired for his 13th goal in 51 games.
NOTES: Panthers G Roberto Luongo was the backup Monday but is
expected to start against the Bruins in Boston on Thursday. ...
Panthers C Quinton Howden and RW Logan Shaw were healthy scratches.
... Rangers D Dylan McIlrath (knee) is day-to-day. He practiced in a
non-contact jersey Monday. ... Rangers C Oscar Lindberg, who is tied
for sixth on the team with 12 goals, was a healthy scratch for the
fourth consecutive game.
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