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Prospal, Rangers down sliding Thrashers

Fri 12th, March 2010

Atlanta, GA (Sports Network) - Vinny Prospal had two goals and an assist as the New York Rangers took a 5-2 decision over the Atlanta Thrashers in a battle between playoff contenders.

Marian Gaborik had a goal and two assists while Ryan Callahan added a goal and an assist for the Rangers, who stopped a four-game slide. Henrik Lundqvist stopped 29 shots in the win.

The win moves New York to 69 points, three back of idle Boston for the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.

"We have another game coming up against Philly so we're gonna have to be better," said New York head coach John Tortorella. "At times we played in spurts so we have some things to work on."

Clarke MacArthur and Ron Hainsey each had a goal for the Thrashers, who have dropped their past five games. Johan Hedberg stopped 30-of-34 shots in the loss.

The losing streak has dropped Atlanta to the 11th spot in the Eastern Conference with 66 points, two below Tampa Bay, which won at Washington earlier Friday.

"These are extremely important games," said Hedberg. "From my own part, two mistakes early on and we're down three goals. I've got to be way better than that. Right now we're not getting anything for free and we have to work for everything we get. It's very frustrating right now."

The Rangers dominated play in the first period and scored three times in the frame.

The first goal came 7:49 in as Prospal accepted a long feed from Gaborik and at the left circle blasted a slap shot past Hedberg and just 41 seconds later, Gaborik scored on the power play for his 36th goal and a 2-0 lead.

Prospal notched his second goal of the period on a wrister with 6:34 left for the 3-0 advantage.

Atlanta got on the board 2:33 into the second with a power-play tally as a crisp passing play was finished when Rich Peverley fired a pass from the left to the right where MacArthur one-timed it home.

New York, though, got the goal back with 2:28 to play in the second as Michael Del Zotto's wrister from the point snuck past Hedberg.

The Thrashers cut the deficit to two with 8:34 to play in the third on the power play as Chris Thorburn fired a pass from the right circle to the slot where a wide open Hainesy wristed it home.

Atlanta got a chance to make it a one-goal game a few minutes later when Jody Shelley was called for hooking, but Lundqvist made a couple big stops to keep it a two-goal contest.

The Thrashers pulled Hedberg late for the extra attacker, but Callahan sealed the win with a shot into the empty cage.

Game Notes

New York hosts Philly on Sunday...Atlanta continues its five-game homestand on Sunday against Phoenix...Atlanta had won the previous five matchups, including the first three games of this season series...Atlanta has scored just six goals over its losing streak...New York went 2-for-6 on the power play while Atlanta was 1-for-4.