Nikolai Zherdev netted the game-winner in the
shootout, as the New York Rangers edged Pittsburgh, 3-2, at Madison Square
Garden.
After Markus Naslund scored on the opening shot for New York, Miroslav Satan
failed for Pittsburgh. Zherdev beat Dany Sabourin with a high backhander on
the Rangers' second shootout chance, then Pittsburgh's Kris Letang beat Henrik
Lundqvist.
Fredrik Sjostrom eventually iced the game for the Blueshirts with his wrister.
Zherdev and Petr Prucha scored in regulation for the Rangers, who have won
four of five. Lundqvist made 29 saves.
Mark Eaton and Jordan Staal tallied for the Penguins, who have dropped three
of five. Sabourin stopped 25 shots in the loss.
In a 4-on-4 situation, the Pens got on the board with 6:04 left in the first
period, as Sidney Crosby swooped around the Rangers' net from right to left
before dishing in front to Eaton for a shot to the right post.
"Nothing can surprise you when Sidney has the puck," Eaton admitted. "I had a
feeling that he was going to make a play, like he always does."
Rob Scuderi's left-point shot was tipped in the slot by Staal for a 2-0
Pittsburgh lead just prior to the midway point of the second period. However,
Scott Gomez fired a slapshot which nicked Zherdev on the way in 1:21 later for
a 2-1 game.
Prucha slammed home an errant shot from the right side of the crease with a
little less than six minutes left in regulation to tie the game, 2-2. It was
the Czech forward's first goal of the year.
"Not taking away from anyone else, but you're playing a division foe and we
don't like them, they don't like us," Gomez noted. "You've got to play the
game at a high level. It's as good as it gets."
Game Notes
The Rangers have won seven of the last 10 meetings...Eaton hadn't scored in
his last 99 games since April 8, 2006 against Chicago...Gomez and Wade Redden
each recorded a pair of assists for New York.
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