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Rangers shoot down Stars with 3rd-period burst

Nov 22, 2013 - 5:40 AM Dallas, TX (SportsNetwork.com) - Chris Kreider and John Moore snapped a tie with goals 37 seconds apart early in the third period, as the New York Rangers clipped Dallas, 3-2, at American Airlines Center.

Rick Nash netted his first goal of the season for the Rangers, but failed to give his club an insurance tally when he missed a penalty shot only 12 seconds after Alex Chiasson pulled the hosts within a score.

Henrik Lundqvist set a career best with 23 saves in the first period en route to stopping 41 pucks as New York snapped a two-game slide.

"It felt good to get a period like that...to really work hard," Lundqvist said of the opening frame. "It was just fun to be in there. There was so much action."

Stephane Robidas recorded the other score and Kari Lehtonen turned away 24 shots for the Stars, whose three-game win streak ended.

The Rangers took a 2-1 lead with 1:18 played in the third, after Kreider's shot from the inner edge of the left circle deflected off Dallas defenseman Trevor Daley's stick and hit the back of the net.

It was 3-1 prior to the two-minute mark when Moore lifted a shot high to Lehtonen's glove side.

Chiasson brought the visitors within a goal at 8:27 on a wrister from the right wing.

On the ensuing shift, Nash was awarded a penalty shot, but failed to convert as Lehtonen kept his right pad along the ice as the slick winger tried to slide the puck inside the far post.

Lehtonen was called to the bench for an extra skater with 1:15 on the clock, but the hosts had no answer.

Nash potted his first goal of the season on a Rangers power play just shy of 6 1/2 minutes played in the opening period.

Lundqvist was besieged with 23 first-period shots by the Stars but remained perfect.

"We had good chances," Stars head coach Lindy Ruff said. "You love the first period, but we didn't get anything for it."

Robidas beat Lundqvist to the far post on a Dallas advantage to tie the game at 8:46 of the second. Derick Brassard's bunt try from atop the crease got past Lehtonen with 6:33 to play, but the goal was waved off upon a replay for the puck being struck above the crossbar.

Game Notes

Lundqvist's previous best for saves in one period was 20, accomplished in the third period against Carolina on Apr. 6 and in the middle stanza against New Jersey on Dec. 29, 2010 ... The clubs hadn't met since Dallas took a 1-0 decision in Manhattan on Dec. 13, 2011 ... The Rangers have won three of the last four over the Stars since January of 2010.