National Hockey League
BOXSCORE | RECAP
NY Rangers 2, NY Islanders 1
When: 7:00 PM ET, Thursday, March 7, 2013
Where: Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum, Uniondale, New York
Referees: Mike Hasenfratz, Brian Pochmara
Linesmen: Brad Kovachik, Derek Nansen
Attendance: 16170


Rangers 2, Islanders 1 (OT): Marian Gaborik scored a power-play goal just 42 seconds into overtime as the visiting Rangers posted their season-high fourth consecutive victory.

Rick Nash extended his goal-scoring and point streaks to four and eight, respectively, by forging a tie with 5:23 remaining in the third period. The top-line forward added an assist and Henrik Lundqvist finished with 28 saves for the Rangers, who improved to 13-3-3 in theilast 19 meetings between the Atlantic Division rivals.

Michael Grabner scored for the third straight contest and Evgeni Nabokov stopped 35 shots for the Islanders, who saw their two-game winning streak come to an end and fell to 2-2-2 on their season-high seven-game homestand.

With Grabner serving a hooking penalty, Gaborik ended an eight-game goalless drought by unleashing a blast from the high slot which sailed under a jumping Ryan Callahan and past Nabokov. Gaborik has scored in each of his last seven games against the Islanders.

Grabner opened the scoring with 8:09 remaining in the first period, accepting Colin McDonald's brilliant backhanded centering feed from behind the net and wiring a shot under the crossbar. Nash answered late in the third by deflecting Derek Stepan's shot from the point to spoil Nabokov's bid for his 54th career shutout.

GAME NOTEBOOK: Stepan extended his point streak to four games by notching a pair of assists for the second straight contest. ... Rangers C Brad Richards missed his second straight game after being driven into the boards by Buffalo's Patrick Kaleta on Sunday. Richards is nursing back and neck tightness. ... Veteran D Roman Hamrlik made his debut with the Rangers, one day removed from being claimed off waivers from Washington. The 38-year-old Hamrlik (1992) was one of three top overall picks to play in the contest, joining Nash (2002) and John Tavares (2009).

Top Game Performances
 
NY Rangers   NY Islanders
Rick Nash 2 Points Michael Grabner 1
Rick Nash 1 Goals Michael Grabner 1
Derek Stepan 2 Assists Andrew MacDonald 1
Marian Gaborik 1 Power Play Goals N/A
N/A Short Handed Goals N/A
Henrik Lundqvist .966 Save Percentage Evgeni Nabokov .946
Henrik Lundqvist 28 Saves Evgeni Nabokov 35
Team Stats Summary
 
Team Shots Goals Power Play Penalty Kill Penalty Mins Face Offs Won
NY Rangers 37 2 1-3 0-0 2 23
NY Islanders 29 1 0-0 2-3 28 18
Upcoming Games
  • NY Islanders will play their next game at home against Washington. The Islanders have a W/L % of .500 after a win and .385 after a loss.
  • NY Rangers will play their next game at home against Ottawa. The Rangers have a W/L % of .545 after a win and .600 after a loss.