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Lundqvist stands on his head as Rangers blank Panthers

Nov 27, 2010 - 6:17 AM Sunrise, FL (Sports Network) - Henrik Lundqvist made 40 saves to notch his third shutout of the season, as the New York Rangers took a 3-0 victory over the Florida Panthers at BankAtlantic Center.

Derek Stepan, Ryan Callahan and Brandon Prust scored the goals for the Rangers, who rebounded from Wednesday's loss in Tampa to win for the third time in four games.

Lundqvist's performance was a sharp reversal from recent play, as he had allowed 11 goals over his past three starts -- all losses.

"The timing felt a lot better, I'm on my knees more, so technically it was one of my better games, I think," Lundqvist said. "I had some luck and some help there at the end, puck bouncing everywhere. Maybe I deserve a lucky one here tonight after a couple tough bounces here and there."

Scott Clemmensen allowed three goals on 19 shots for the Panthers, who went winless on their three-game homestand.

"You come into a homestand like this, your best players have to be your best players," said Florida head coach Peter DeBoer. "I think all three games we had trouble scoring, our best players didn't get on the board. I thought all three nights we got out-goaltended. So it's tough to win games when that happens."

Stepan got the Rangers on the board just past the midway point of the first period. Clemmensen stopped Sean Avery's shot from the right circle but couldn't handle the rebound, and Stepan was there to deposit the rebound.

Lundqvist made nine saves in a scoreless second period while Clemmensen stopped eight shots in keeping the game close.

But New York widened its lead while on the power play shortly into the third period. With Panthers forward Stephen Weiss in the box for holding, the Rangers set up in the Florida zone. Erik Christensen was atop the right circle and guided a pass to the slot, where Callahan redirected it, and the puck got through Clemmensen at 5:24.

Prust's shorthanded tally -- his first goal of the season -- made it a 3-0 game at 14:25, and Lundqvist stopped all 16 shots he faced in the third period to secure the shutout.

Game Notes

Marc Staal recorded two assists for the Rangers...Florida is on the road for six of the next seven games. The Panthers open a four-game trip Saturday in Tampa...The Rangers play in Nashville on Saturday.