Rangers snap 2 ties in 3rd, top Bruins 4-3

By Ira Podell

Associated Press

Published: Sunday, March 4 2012 1:25 p.m. MST

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New York Rangers goaltender Henrik Lundqvist, right, of Sweden, makes a save as Rangers' Ryan McDonagh (27) checks Boston Bruins' Patrice Bergeron during the first period of an NHL hockey game Sunday, March 4, 2012, at Madison Square Garden in New York.

Bill Kostroun, Associated Press

Summary

Derek Stepan and Marian Gaborik both scored tiebreaking goals in the third period, and the New York Rangers held on to beat the Boston Bruins 4-3 on Sunday.

NEW YORK — Derek Stepan and Marian Gaborik both scored tiebreaking goals in the third period, and the New York Rangers held on to beat the Boston Bruins 4-3 on Sunday.

Gaborik gave the Rangers a 3-2 lead 3:14 into the third with his 32nd goal, but David Krejci tied it for Boston at 11:42. The Bruins barely had time to celebrate before Stepan ripped a drive from the left circle that sailed past stunned goalie Tim Thomas and under the crossbar 39 seconds later.

The Rangers topped Boston for the fifth straight time, dating to last season, and opened a 12-point lead over the defending Stanley Cup champion Bruins in the Eastern Conference playoff race. New York's closest pursuer is Atlantic Division-rival Pittsburgh, which is 10 points behind.

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