Rangers Shoot Down Ducks In OT

For one night, at least, Anaheim Arena was a happy place for the New York Rangers.

Jan Hlavac scored the tying goal with 1:20 left in regulation and Brian Leetch won it 29 seconds into overtime as the New York Rangers rallied for a 4-3 victory over the Anaheim Mighty Ducks on Wednesday night.

Adam Graves recorded his 100th career power-play goal and Radek Dvorak also scored for the Rangers, who got 36 saves from Mike Richter. It was New York's only meeting this season with the Ducks, who went 8-13-4 against Eastern Conference teams this season.

The victory moved New York, with 69 points, into seventh place in the Eastern Conference. The Rangers lead Montreal and Pittsburgh by one point.

"These were big points," Muckler said. "We're in seventh place now, when we could have been in 11th."

Steve Rucchin and Teemu Selanne welcomed linemate Paul Kariya back to the Anaheim lineup by scoring goals less than 5 1/2 minutes apart in the second period.

Tony Hrkac also scored for the Ducks, 3-3-1 without Kariya who bruised is right foot blocking a shot on Feb. 16.

The Rangers, who lost at San Jose on Monday, responded after getting a heated lecture from coach John Muckler at Tuesday's practice.

New York pulled even when Hlavac got the puck from Dvorak at the base of the left circle and put the puck between Guy Hebert's right leg and the post for his 18th goal.

"It's a heartbreaking loss, but I can't say a bad thing about the way our team played," Ducks coach Craig Hartsburg said. "We certainly played well and dominated the hockey game, but their goaltender stood on his head."

"That was the difference. We're all disappointed, but we've got to move and be positive about the way we played."

Hlavac nearly ended it with a shot that hit the post with 18 seconds left in regulation.

In the extra session, Selanne lost the puck near his blue line to Leetch, who skated untouched down the slot and put his fifth goal inside the right post.

"Petr did a good job pressuring the puck," Leetch said. "I was yelling for it, Selanne went to cover Dvorak, and I was able to get a good shot off."

"I really hadn't done my job earlier in the game," Leetch added. "I had a responsibility with Kariya and Selanne, and Selanne had the game-winner until about two minutes to go. But we were just able to turn things around."

The goal ended a streak of 36 consecutive overtime shots Hebert stopped, dating to Jaroslav Spacek's goal Oct. 16 at Florida.

"We should have won this game, no doubt about it," Anaheim defenseman Oleg Tverdovsky said. "We gave everything we have, but sometimes when you play a good game, you still lose.

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