National Hockey League
BOXSCORE | RECAP
NY Rangers 4, Tampa Bay 2
When: 7:00 PM ET, Saturday, December 3, 2011
Where: St. Pete Times Forum, Tampa, Florida
Referees: Wes McCauley, Frederic L'Ecuyer
Linesmen: Pierre Champoux, Darren Gibbs
Attendance: 19204

Derek Stepan hammered home a loose puck in the slot with 3:19 remaining to break a tie and send the visiting New York Rangers to a 4-2 win over the Tampa Bay Lightning on Saturday

Stepan also assisted on Artem Anisimov’s tying goal 6:16 into the third period as the Rangers extended their win streak to five games. It was New York's first win of the season when trailing after two periods.

Anisimov assisted on the winner and former Lightning center Brad Richards added an empty-net goal. Defenseman Ryan McDonagh added two assists.

The Rangers broke a four-game losing streak against the Lightning. It was also the first time Tampa has lost after taking a lead into the third period this season.

Tom Pyatt had given the Lightning a 2-1 lead with 2:18 left in the second period, bursting down the left wing after receiving a Dana Tyrell pass and beating Rangers’ goalie Henrik Lundquist.

Steve Downie scored 1:24 into the game for the Lightning on a rising slap shot from the blue line, but former Tampa Bay forward Ruslan Fedotenko’s goal 6:38 into the second evened things up. Richards, who won the Conn Smythe Trophy for the Lightning in 2004 when they won the Stanley Cup, set up Fedotenko’s tally.

The teams play again in New York next Thursday.
Top Game Performances
 
NY Rangers   Tampa Bay
Artem Anisimov 2 Points Steve Downie 1
Artem Anisimov 1 Goals Steve Downie 1
Ryan McDonagh 2 Assists Teddy Purcell 1
N/A Power Play Goals N/A
N/A Short Handed Goals N/A
Henrik Lundqvist .923 Save Percentage Mathieu Garon .914
Henrik Lundqvist 24 Saves Mathieu Garon 32
Team Stats Summary
 
Team Shots Goals Power Play Penalty Kill Penalty Mins Face Offs Won
NY Rangers 36 4 0-2 1-1 2 34
Tampa Bay 26 2 0-1 2-2 4 29
Upcoming Games
  • Tampa Bay will play their next game on the road against Ottawa. The Lightning have a W/L % of .455 after a win and .429 after a loss.
  • NY Rangers will play their next game at home against Toronto. The Rangers have a W/L % of .786 after a win and .444 after a loss.