Rangers Move Into 1st Place Tie With Win Over Isles
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UNIONDALE, N.Y.- Martin Straka beat Rick DiPietro on a penalty shot and Kevin Weekes made 23 saves for his first victory in nearly eight weeks in the Rangers’ 5-2 victory over the Islanders last night.
Straka also had two assists, Jaromir Jagr and Steve Rucchin each had a goal and an assist, and Fedor Tyutin and Martin Rucinsky added power-play goals to help the Rangers tie Philadelphia for the Atlantic Division lead. Jagr raised his NHL-leading scoring total to 78 with his 34th goal of the season.
Straka fired a wrist shot under DiPietro’s left arm to give the Rangers a 4-0 lead in the second period. The Czech forward was awarded the penalty shot after defenseman Joel Bouchard grabbed him from behind on a breakaway.
Weekes made his first start in eight games and second in the last 17. The Rangers snapped the Islanders’ winning streak at three with their third straight victory in the series.
