Tue, Mar 27, 2007 - Page 18 News List

Nylander, Rangers defeat NY Islanders in overtime

AP , UNIONDALE, NEW YORK

Rory Fitzpatrick, top left, of the Vancouver Canucks checks Brett McLean, top right, and Tyler Arnason of the Colorado Avalanche into Vancouver Canuck goaltender Roberto Luongo during their NHL game at the General Motors Place on Sunday in Vancouver, Canada. Colorado defeated Vancouver 5-4 in a shootout.

PHOTO: AFP

Michael Nylander deflected a shot by Brendan Shanahan late in overtime into the goal to give the New York Rangers a 2-1 victory over the Islanders on Sunday in the first game between the rivals since Chris Simon's stick attack.

Nylander planted himself in front of Rick DiPietro during an overtime power play and knocked the puck in with only 48.9 seconds left.

It gave the Rangers their fifth straight victory and moved them past idle Tampa Bay into sixth place in the crowded National Hockey League's Eastern Conference playoff chase.

The Islanders, playing their eighth game since Simon was suspended for the rest of the season and playoffs for his two-handed stick swing at Rangers forward Ryan Hollweg on March 8, got a point and jumped into a three-way tie for eighth place with Montreal and Carolina.

Penguins 5, Bruins 0

In Pittsburgh, Sidney Crosby had two goals and an assist to extend his league scoring lead and help Pittsburgh tie for first place in the Atlantic Division.

Flames 3, Blackhawks 2

In Chicago, Roman Hamrlik scored off a faceoff with 6:11 left in the third period to snap a tie.

Kristian Huselius and Stephane Yelle also scored for the Flames, who won their third straight.

Blue Jackets 4, Blues 1

At Columbus, Ohio, Fredrik Modin scored his 20th goal of the season -- and 400th of his career -- in Columbus' victory over St. Louis.

Manny Malhotra added a goal and an assist for the Blue Jackets, who got 25 saves from Fredrik Norrena in their third straight win. Derrick Walser and Geoff Platt also scored and Jason Chimera had three assists.

Avalanche 5, Canucks 4, SO

At Vancouver, British Columbia, Brett McLean netted the only shootout goal after scoring twice in regulation to keep Colorado's playoff hopes alive with a win over Vancouver.

Joe Sakic tied the game with his second goal midway through the third period as the Avalanche remained five points behind Calgary for the eighth and final playoff spot.

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