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Lundqvist, Jagr lift Rangers past Hurricanes in shootout

Mar 11, 2007 - 11:18 PM NEW YORK (Ticker) -- Henrik Lundqvist did everything he could to keep the New York Rangers in the postseason picture. Jaromir Jagr made sure the effort did not go to waste.

Lundqvist made 30 saves and Jagr netted the winning goal in the shootout as the Rangers posted a thrilling 2-1 triumph over the Carolina Hurricanes in a contest with major playoff implications.

With the win, New York (34-27-8) climbed into a tie with Carolina (34-28-8) for the eighth and final postseason berth in the Eastern Conference.

"It was a playoff game for us," Jagr said. "Every time I watch TV, nobody gives us credit that we are going to make the playoffs. We knew it was huge. We knew it was going to be a big weekend."

Rangers coach Tom Renney was thrilled to see his team rebound after Saturday's 3-2 overtime loss at Pittsburgh.

"We let one slip away yesterday, and we were all pretty disappointed with that performance," Renney said. "We knew we had to come back with a better effort today. Certainly, the two points was everything. This wasn't about getting a single point."

A Vezina Trophy finalist last season, Lundqvist looked every bit like a postseason goaltender Sunday, making several phenomenal saves in the third and overtime periods to preserve the 1-1 tie.

"We had a tough loss yesterday, and everybody was a little beat up," Lundqvist said. "It was tough for us because it was an early start."

The 25-year-old Lundqvist also came up big in the shootout, making a quick glove save on Justin Williams' snap shot.

"It felt like a playoff game and it was a huge two points against a team we are battling for the playoffs," Lundqvist said. "Every game means so much for both teams, and it was intense today."

Matt Cullen wristed a shot past John Grahame's right pad to give New York the lead in the bonus format, and after Ray Whitney's wrister went wide, Jagr sealed the victory with a pretty goal.

The Rangers' maligned superstar deked in front of the crease before stuffing the puck between Grahame's pads, prompting a wild celebration from the crowd at Madison Square Garden.

"I am just happy we won," Jagr said. "I would have been happy if it was over before I went. I feel like I have nothing to lose if I don't score because I have (Lundqvist) in the net."

A former Hart Trophy winner, Jagr has received criticism over the past several weeks for his inability to shake nagging shoulder and leg injuries. Renney was pleased to see his biggest star shine in front of the home crowd.

"I think it was big for him," Renney said. "Jaromir is our leader, the best player in the world when he is on."

Defenseman Marek Malik netted his first goal of the season in the first period off a feed from Jagr, but Carolina evened the score midway through the second session on Williams' team-leading 33rd tally.

Grahame, who replaced injured starter Cam Ward midway through the second period, stopped all 13 shots he faced for the Hurricanes, who have lost three of their last four road games.

"Obviously, you want to score on the power play and we want to score in the shootout," Carolina coach Peter Laviolette said. "We are getting the people that we want out there, but it's just not happening for us."