Rangers 5, Bruins 3
Michael Sauer’s goal with 2:57 to go broke a tie as the New York Rangers scored the game's final five goals to defeat the visiting Boston Bruins 5-3 on Monday and considerably strengthen their playoff chances.
The Rangers (43-32-5) moved into a sixth-place tie with Montreal and four points ahead of ninth-place Carolina in the Eastern Conference. The Rangers have two games remaining; the Hurricanes have three.
Brandon Dubinsky's goal with 3:48 left made it 3-3 after Vinny Prospal scored twice in the second period to cut Boston’s lead to 3-2. Derek Stepan's empty-net goal completed the scoring.
Daniel Paille, Nathan Horton and Chris Kelly scored for Boston (44-24-11), which failed to reduce its four-point deficit behind Philadelphia and Washington, who share first in the East. The Bruins have already clinched the Northeast Division title, and appear destined to be the No. 3 seed.
Henrik Lundqvist made 27 saves for the Rangers, while Tim Thomas stopped 21 shots for Boston.