Rangers 2, Hurricanes 1 (SO)
Rick Nash and rookie J.T. Miller scored in the shootout as New York edged visiting Carolina and snapped a three-game slide.
Derek Stepan tallied in regulation and Henrik Lundqvist made 29 saves for the Rangers, who crept within two points of eighth place in the Eastern Conference. Nash beat Dan Ellis with a backhanded shot in the opening round of the shootout and Lundqvist denied Jiri Tlusty and Alexander Semin before Miller’s wrist shot secured the win.
Ellis made 35 saves and captain Eric Staal scored for the Hurricanes, who are winless in three straight (0-2-1).
Staal gave the Hurricanes the lead with 51 seconds left in the first period, receiving a cross-slot pass from defenseman Joni Pitkanen in the right faceoff circle and slapping it past Lundqvist for a 1-0 advantage.
New York tied it at 11:06 of the second. Ellis made a save on Carl Hagelin but got knocked down as Rangers captain Ryan Callahan was shoved across the crease. The rebound came out to Stepan, who lifted it over a sprawling Ellis and into the vacant net.
GAME NOTEBOOK: Stepan has nine points (four goals) in as many games this month. … Carolina C Tuomo Ruutu (hip) is close to making his season debut but sat out again despite practicing over the weekend and traveling with the team. … Staal has recorded at least one point in five straight games.