Rangers 3, Stars 2
Rick Nash snapped a tie with 1:58 remaining in the third period as host New York improved to 7-2-1 in its last 10 games.
Captain Ryan Callahan scored for the first time since Dec. 2 and Derick Brassard added a power-play goal for the Rangers, who also skated to a 3-2 victory over Dallas on Nov. 21. Former Star Brad Richards notched a pair of assists and Henrik Lundqvist turned aside 24 shots in the win.
Ryan Garbutt and Cody Eakin each collected a goal and an assist while Kari Lehtonen finished with 31 saves for the reeling Stars, who have dropped five in a row.
After the teams traded goals in each of the first two periods, Nash capped a feverish sequence to give New York a 3-2 lead. Chris Kreider's sharp-angle shot from deep in the right faceoff circle caromed off the pads of Lehtonen, creating a juicy rebound that Nash deposited over the netminder's shoulder as he fell to the ice.
Garbutt gave Dallas a 2-1 advantage by deflecting an elevated feed from Antoine Roussel out of the air and between the pads of Lundqvist at 3:34 of the second period. New York answered less than five minutes later as Mats Zuccarello wired a sharp pass from the right circle that deflected off Brassard's stick and into the net for a power-play goal.
GAME NOTEBOOK: Callahan and Richards extended their respective point streaks to four games. The captain has collected one goal and three assists while Richards has scored two goals and set up four others in that stretch. ... New York LW Daniel Carcillo registered a game-high eight hits while making his Madison Square Garden debut with his new team. ... Eakin has recorded four points (one goal, three assists) in two games versus the Rangers this season.