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Zuccarello nets OT game-winner as Rangers down 'Canes

Jan 6, 2011 - 3:49 AM New York, NY (Sports Network) - Rookie Mats Zuccarello scored his first NHL goal with 1:51 remaining in overtime and the New York Rangers beat the Carolina Hurricanes, 2-1, at Madison Square Garden.

The play started with Rangers goalie Henrik Lundqvist setting the puck up for Brandon Dubinsky behind his own net. Dubinsky carried the disc into the Carolina zone, but lost control as he avoided a defender en route to the crease. Zuccarello, playing in just his sixth NHL game, collected the puck behind the net, came around the far post and lifted a shot over Hurricanes netminder Cam Ward.

The 23-year-old Norwegian also set up a third-period goal by Matt Gilroy.

Dubinsky had two assists and Lundqvist made 31 saves for the Rangers, who halted their losing streak at two games.

"It was a fun game to play...a lot of action on both ends," Lundqvist said. "Smart decisions on both ends. It is important in a low scoring game to not give the puck away and we didn't. Tonight we played a very smart game."

Eric Staal tied the game with 6:14 left in regulation for the Hurricanes, while Ward stopped 33 shots.

"It was a competitive game...both teams played extremely hard," Staal said.

Carolina has earned at least a point in five straight games (3-0-2).

The game remained scoreless until the 8:41 mark of the third period. Zuccarello threw the puck out from behind the Carolina net to Gilroy and he let go a wrister that beat Ward on the stick side.

Staal pulled the Hurricanes even when he won an offensive zone draw before crashing the crease to bang home the rebound of a Joe Corvo shot.

Game Notes

The Hurricanes lost for just the second time in their last seven road games...New York had dropped three straight to Carolina, all on home ice...Carolina played its fourth straight game without forward Jussi Jokinen (lower body) and defenseman Joni Pitkanen (upper body).