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Straka, Jagr star as Rangers end slide in Ottawa

Dec 9, 2006 - 10:49 PM OTTAWA (Ticker) -- The New York Rangers had not left Scotiabank Place with a victory in a while. Martin Straka and Jaromir Jagr made sure they did not depart empty-handed again.

Straka and Jagr each had a goal and an assist and Brendan Shanahan added his league-leading 22nd tally as the Rangers halted a six-game slide at Ottawa with a 3-1 triumph over the Senators.

Entering with a 20 percent (31-for-155) success rate for the NHL's fifth-best power play, the Rangers struck first when Straka scored during a 5-on-3 advantage late in the first period. The goal extended the Czech's points streak to a career-high nine games.

"I have to give credit to my teammates, Jaromir and Michael (Nylander)," Straka said. "They always try to feed me. I couldn't do it without them, so I'm enjoying playing with those guys."

Just over six minutes into the middle session, Jagr - who assisted on Straka's tally - doubled New York's lead with his 14th of the season. With the goal, the superstar climbed within three of Dino Ciccarelli (608) for 14th place on the all-time list.

"If I were 39, probably I'd be worried about it," Jagr said. "But I'm 34 and I think I've still got to play some more years."

Jason Spezza extended his goal-scoring streak to four games later in the period with a power-play tally, halving Ottawa's deficit.

"I just concentrate on playing my game, but the streak is a bonus, for sure," Spezza said. "It's hard not to succeed when you get to play with some great linemates like I do."

But Shanahan scored an empty-netter in the final seconds to seal the victory and give him five goals in his last three contests.

"The lockout year energized me, even after playing 17 years," Shanahan said. "I've carried that energy into this season. I'm probably getting more ice time on this team than any other in my career. ... Taking a year off two seasons ago helped me physically, and more importantly, mentally. It was a nice way to recharge the battery."

Henrik Lundqvist made 34 saves - including 17 in the second period - for the Rangers, who had last won in Ottawa on March 21, 2002.

"A week ago, I had a tough game at home. At the same time, I felt I didn't play that bad," Lundqvist said. "I was disappointed after that game, but later, I worked hard and my teammates really helped me."

Ray Emery stopped 26 shots for the Senators, who had their four-game home winning streak snapped.

"Obviously, tonight we didn't score as many goals as they did, but Razor (Emery) played big for us," Spezza said. "It's an unfortunate and disappointing loss."

With both Spezza and Antoine Vermette sitting in the penalty box, the Rangers broke through with 2:58 to go in the opening period. From below the right faceoff circle, Jagr made a cross-crease pass to Straka, who knocked in the puck from near the left goalpost for his 16th tally.

"Jagr is such a good player and he was able to look everybody off," Straka said. "Then he gave it to me at the far post. I was wide open and I was just lucky to get the goal."

Jagr's assist was the 870th of his career, putting him within three of Hall of Famer Phil Esposito for 19th all-time.

At 6:07 of the second, the five-time Art Ross Trophy winner gave New York a 2-0 lead. After carrying down the right wing, Jagr cut across the top of the slot and put a wrist shot into the top right corner of the net for his league-leading 43rd point.

"We continued to go to the net and Henrik made some great saves for us," Jagr said. "You get behind (the Senators) and it's very hard to come back. Tonight, we did a good job."

The goal also proved to be the 104th game-winner for Jagr, who trails Shanahan by one for fourth in league history.

Spezza deflected defenseman Christoph Schubert's blast from the left point past Lundqvist with 4:14 remaining in the period for his 15th goal, drawing the Senators within one. And after Straka failed to convert on a partial breakaway in the final minute, Ottawa had a golden opportunity to knot the game.

However, Lundqvist made a sparkling glove stop on Dany Heatley during a clear break with 48 seconds to go and prevented the rebound from going in before play was whistled, as the puck was atop the net.

"We just couldn't come back after getting down by a couple of goals," Ottawa's Mike Fisher said. "Lundqvist played excellent and made some huge saves. It's one of those you'd like to have after playing pretty good. We've got to find a way to win."

The Senators again were without captain Daniel Alfredsson and defenseman Wade Redden. Alfredsson missed his second straight game with a hip injury, while Redden sat out for the fourth consecutive time with a chest ailment.

"When you take two of some of the best guys in the league out of the lineup, obviously you'll feel it a little bit," Spezza said. "We would be a better team with them."