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Lundqvist helps Rangers edge Islanders

Jan 14, 2009 - 3:39 AM UNIONDALE, New York (Ticker) -- Since being named to the All-Star team, Henrik Lundqvist has taken his play to another level.

Lundqvist made 33 saves Tuesday, leading the New York Rangers to a 2-1 victory over the rival New York Islanders.

Captain Chris Drury and Nigel Dawes scored for the Rangers, who are 2-0-1 over the first three stops of their five-game road trip.

"We had a pretty good start to our game, but they came after us," Rangers coach Tom Renney said. "We expected they would. There were a number of times when we didn't handle them particularly well, but we hung in there and had some timely goals."

Defenseman Chris Campoli netted the lone goal for the Islanders, who have posted a 2-15-2 record since December 4.

The Rangers' only representative in the All-Star Game, Lundqvist has stopped 66 of the 67 shots he has faced since being selected to the team on Thursday.

"I had a good talk with my goaltending coach (Benoit Allaire) before I was named an All-Star," Lundqvist said. "I kind of got off my game a little bit. I just had to make small changes, but it also comes down to how we play as a team."

The 26-year-old Swede was peppered with 19 shots in the first period, making a collection of excellent saves to keep the Rangers in the game.

"They came hard. They always do, especially at home," Lundqvist said. "They took over for 10-12 minutes in the first period and created a lot of chances. I liked the way we calmed down."

Campoli gave the Islanders a 1-0 advantage with 70 seconds left in the session on a slap shot from the right point, but Lundqvist was impenetrable from there.

The Rangers evened the contest just after a power play ended as Scott Gomez intercepted Campoli's clearing attempt and made a centering pass to Drury, who fired a wrist shot from the slot that beat goaltender Yann Danis to the top corner with 7:29 left in the second.

Dawes scored the game-winner with 5:33 remaining in the middle session on a power play, unleashing a one-timer off Ryan Callahan's pass to convert a 3-on-1 rush.

"I saw their shot coming from behind and I saw (Callahan) had all the speed," Dawes said. "I tried to get myself in position to give him an option. He made a great pass. I just had to get it over (Danis') pad."

Joey MacDonald left the game in the first period with a groin injury after making three saves. He was replaced by Danis, who turned aside 24 shots.

"He played well," Islanders coach Scott Gordon said. "He came in a tough situation and you can't fault him for any of the goals."

"I didn't see what happened, but you have to be ready at all times," Danis added. "I know I can play in this league. I felt confident and felt solid the whole game."