NEW YORK -- The New York Rangers came up short in their first shot at clinching a playoff berth.
Vincent Lecavalier Lightning Jersey Authentic . The Ottawa Senators bounced back from a humbling loss and gave their
flickering post-season chances a slight spark. When all was said and done
Saturday night, the Senators skated off with a 3-2 win at Madison Square Garden
that boosted their hopes and delayed any celebration for the host Rangers. "Were
just trying to win games," said Senators captain Jason Spezza, whose
second-period goal was the winner. "Were trying to build some momentum, win
games and play right. "If were winning games, it will be a more enjoyable end of
the season." The Senators shook off a 7-4 loss to Montreal on Friday when a 3-0
lead was wiped out by seven straight goals against them. Ottawa is five points
behind the second wild card in the Eastern Conference, but the Senators will
have to jump over four teams with only four games left to get into the playoffs.
"We wanted to have a response just for the morale of the group," Spezza said.
"We know its been a disappointing year, we know that we havent reached
expectations, but we still have these games left to play so we want to win
them." Robin Lehner made 41 saves and held off a furious late push by the
Rangers, who still need one point to secure a playoff spot. They could qualify
before their next game if New Jersey loses to Calgary on Monday. The Rangers
will host Carolina on Tuesday. "We are still in a good spot," defenceman
Dan Girardi said. "Its in our hands to get that win in our next game, and
hopefully secure home ice in the first round." New York, with three games
remaining, would get that if it keeps its hold on second place in the
Metropolitan Division over Philadelphia, which lost at Boston on Saturday. The
Flyers trail by four points with five games left. The Rangers, back home after a
2-1-1 Western road trip, started slowly and trailed 2-0 in the first period.
Mark Stone and Mika Zibanejad put Ottawa in front, and Spezza made it 3-1 in the
second. Mats Zuccarello deflected in two goals in the second to bring the
Rangers within a goal each time. Henrik Lundqvist made 31 saves. "I hope our
mindset is not to clinch. Its about getting the home advantage," Lundqvist said.
"Id rather look ahead than behind me." Ottawa grabbed the lead with 7:15 left in
the first off a rush. Clarke McArthur made a pass from the left circle to Stone,
who gathered the puck on the inside edge of the right circle and snapped a shot
past Lundqvist for his third goal of the season and second in seven games. Less
than a minute later, Carl Hagelin had two prime scoring chances near the left
post, but was denied by Lehner and then again on the rebound. Rick Nash, who
recorded seven shots, then had a breakaway chance, but his in-close stuff
attempt was stopped by Lehner with 2:48 left in the first. "We won and Im
happy," Lehner said. "(My teammates) were helping me with rebounds, and I saw
most pucks. They had some good chances, but I think we played better." Ottawa
turned the puck right around and made it 2-0 just 11 seconds later. Zack Smith
won a faceoff in the Rangers zone back to Zibanejad, who worked his way into the
slot and ripped a shot by Lundqvist for his 16th of the season and second in two
nights. Martin St. Louis nearly got the Rangers on the board, but he was stopped
on a partial breakaway by defenceman Erik Karlsson, less than a minute after
Lundqvist sticked away Chris Neils hard drive. Rangers defenceman John Moore, in
his second game following a six-game absence caused by a concussion, fired a
hard, rising shot from the left point that sailed into traffic, struck
Zuccarello and nestled in the net to make it 2-1 at 5:25. Ottawa restored its
two-goal lead 3:02 later after the Rangers couldnt gain control of the puck.
Karlsson ripped a drive from the centre of the blue line that disappeared in a
huddle of bodies in the crease, but was then poked in by Spezza, who wasnt
overly impressed by his 20th goal. "Its nice to get but its pretty
insignificant, especially in a year where you dont make the playoffs," he said.
New York cut its deficit back to a goal with 8:05 remaining in the second.
Zuccarello swung the puck behind the net and around the boards to Marc Staal,
who took a shot from above the left circle that Zuccarello deflected in for his
19th goal. The Rangers hurt their comeback chances in the final moments when
they retaliated for what appeared to be a late hit by Neil on Staal. New York
was short-handed for 2 minutes of the final 2:47. NOTES: Ottawa is 4-7-3 in the
second of back-to-back games this season. ... Spezza has eight 20-goal seasons
in the NHL. ... New York defenceman Ryan McDonagh (shoulder) missed his second
straight game.
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Steven Stamkos Lightning Jersey Authentic . The 57-year-old Tietjens has coached New Zealand to nine IRB World Sevens titles
and to four Commonwealth Games gold medals as its only coach in the professional
era. New Zealand Rugby Union chief executive Steve Tew said the re-signing was
made with a focus on 2016 when sevens will be in the Olympics.Aston Villa added
to its attacking options on Monday by signing Lazio forward Libor Kozak to a
four-year contract. Kozak led the Europa League with 10 goals in 11 games last
season, but his Serie A opportunities were limited to five starts with 14
substitute appearances as he failed to find the net in league play. "I hope its
a good step for me and also for Villa because everything is about the team,"
Kozak said. "This is a big club, a vvery historic club with a fantastic fan base
and, for me, this is really important.
Nikita Kucherov Lightning Jersey Authentic. "From when I was a young boy, I have dreamed of playing in the Premier League
and to do this with a club such as Villa is incredibly motivating. Its real now
and Im very happy about this." At Villa, Kozak will join a group of forwards
that includes Christian Benteke, Gabriel Agbonlahor, Aleks Tonev and Andreas
Weimann among others.
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