NHL Game Summary – Carolina at NY Rangers

New York, NY (Sports Network) - Scott Gomez had a goal and an assist, leading the New York Rangers to a 3-2 win over the Carolina Hurricanes at Madison Square Garden.

Lauri Korpikoski and Brandon Dubinsky also scored for the Rangers, who have earned a point in six of their last seven games (5-1-1). Markus Naslund recorded two assists and Steve Valiquette stopped 33 shots for the win.

"I liked how we battled," said Naslund. "I think we are still finding ways to win and that's a great sign."

Ryan Bayda and Tuomo Ruutu tallied for the Hurricanes, who have dropped six of eight. Cam Ward allowed three goals on 31 shots in defeat.

"It's not the way we wanted to begin this last stretch," Ward said. "We did turn the puck over too much."

Dubinsky made it 3-1 with 7:50 remaining in the third period, then Carolina countered 25 seconds later. Rangers defenseman Wade Redden made a good play to block Ruutu's shot, but the Finn got the disc back and fired it over the glove of Valiquette.

New York held on for the win as Ward watched the game's closing moments from the bench.

Naslund stripped Hurricanes forward Eric Staal of the puck in the defensive zone and headed down the left side on an odd-man rush. Naslund carried across the Carolina blueline and dished to Gomez, whose bid was stopped by Ward. Trailing the play, Korpikoski put in the juicy rebound 4:21 into the contest.

A quick shot by Gomez from the right circle beat Ward on the far side with 9:57 remaining in the opening frame, then Bayda ripped a shot from the low slot that squeezed between the right arm and torso of Valiquette with 6:56 left in the first.

Valiquette and Ward both made 10 saves in a scoreless middle stanza.

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