Rangers hold off Hurricanes as Zuccarello scores lone shootout goal
The New York Rangers were happy with their win over the Carolina Hurricanes, just not in the way they got it.
Jesper Fast and J.T. Miller scored, and Mats Zuccarello had the lone goal in the shootout as the Rangers edged the Hurricanes 3-2 on Saturday night.
Cam Talbot shook off a 1-0 home loss to Chicago and made 28 saves to lift the Rangers to their NHL best 23rd road victory this season. Talbot made two saves in the shootout, and Carolina's other attempt went high.
Carolina's Anton Khudobin made 27 saves in his season-high fourth straight start.
Fast's goal at 12:59 of the second gave the Rangers a 2-1 lead after Miller had tied it 3:39 into the period.
"We're happy we got the two points, and for the most part we played a pretty solid game," Miller said. "We weathered their pressure pretty well but we've got a game (Sunday) so we've got to forget about it."
New York will host the Western Conference-leading Anaheim Ducks on Sunday night.
After building a 2-1 lead in the second period, the Rangers faced much more pressure from the Hurricanes in the third. Ryan Murphy tied it for Carolina with a power-play goal with 5:33 left in regulation.
After mustering only 12 shots through two periods, the Hurricanes put 17 on Talbot in the third.
"We played a tough team, and they battled for every puck," Zuccarello said. "We're not happy with our third period. We came out flat and were protecting a lead. We still have to make plays and play with confidence."
Carolina struck first as Elias Lindholm scored 2:01 in when he slammed a low drive under Talbot's pads.
"It is one that went in right off the hop there, and I'd like to have it back," Talbot said. "It's never easy when your goalie puts you behind like that, but our guys did a great job of fighting back in the second period."
New York improved to 16-3-3 since No. 1 goalie Henrik Lundqvist by a neck injury -- 14-3-3 with Talbot in goal. The Rangers swept the five-game season series from the Hurricanes.
Lundqvist is getting closer to returning, having been cleared this week to resume practicing with the team. He has yet to do so due to the birth of his daughter on Friday.
Talbot, 18-7-4 overall this season, held off the Hurricanes in the end.
"It would have been nice to have some more looks in the third period," Hurricanes coach Bill Peters said. "But it wasn't meant to be. It's been a run of bad luck in the shootout for (Khudobin). We haven't given him enough support. He's a solid NHL goaltender."
The Rangers beat Carolina for the 16th time in 17 games and earned their sixth win in seven games overall. Carolina lost for the sixth time in seven games.
NOTES: Carolina rookie D Danny Biega earned his first NHL point with an assist on the Hurricanes' first goal. ... The Rangers have earned at least one point in 20 of their last 23 games. ... Zuccarello has earned points in nine straight games against the Hurricanes -- two goals, 14 assists.
