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Kane is able, as Thrashers nip reeling Rangers

Feb 12, 2011 - 4:08 AM Atlanta, GA (Sports Network) - Evander Kane scored twice in a 3 1/2-minute span of the third period to lift the Atlanta Thrashers to a big 3-2 win over the New York Rangers at Philips Arena.

Atlanta came into the game mired in a 1-4-3 slump, but got a big two points on Friday and moved a point ahead of idle Carolina for the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.

"It's a huge win for us," said Kane. "We were a desperate hockey club tonight and for us to get two points in regulation is huge for us. We needed these points badly, especially not giving them away to a team that we're competing with."

Anthony Stewart finished with a goal and an assist while Ondrej Pavelec made 27 stops in the win for Atlanta.

Marc Staal and Brandon Dubinsky each scored for the Rangers, who have dropped their past six games. Henrik Lundqvist made 32 saves in a losing effort.

"There's a lot of emotions right now, really angry, disappointed and frustrated," said Lundqvist. "You just have to angle it into something positive and get energy from it. Just re-focus and get ready for the next one."

The Rangers had taken a 2-1 lead 71 seconds into the third on Dubinsky's 19th goal of the year, but failed to build on their advantage as Marian Gaborik was stopped by Pavelec on a penalty shot at the 7:36 mark.

The stop spurred the Thrashers, who poured it on to tie the contest and take the lead.

The first goal came with 5:51 to play as a Stewart deflection on net saw the rebound come to the slot, from where Kane backhanded it home.

Atlanta then took the lead with 2:20 to play as Dustin Byfuglien blasted a shot from the left circle that was stopped, but the rebound kicked out to the slot and Kane's second shot found the back of the net.

From there, the Thrashers were able to kill off the clock for the win.

Atlanta took the initial lead in the game when Stewart finished off a 2-on-1 break with a backhander down low at the 11:08 mark of the first.

New York, though, tied the game 26 seconds into the second on the power play when Pavelec was unable to corral a rebound off a Gaborik shot and Staal was there to bang it home.

Game Notes

Atlanta hosts Carolina on Sunday...The Rangers host the Penguins on Sunday...Atlanta has taken two of three from the Rangers this season and seven of the past nine...Atlanta was 1-for-5 on the power play while the Rangers were 1-for-3.