ATLANTA --- Vinny Prospal and Marian Gaborik gave New York the lead with goals 41 seconds apart in the first period and the Rangers beat Atlanta 5-2 on Friday night for the Thrashers' fifth consecutive loss.
Henrik Lundqvist made 29 saves to help the Rangers end a four-game losing streak.
Prospal had two goals and an assist, Gaborik had a goal and two assists, and Michael Del Zotto and Ryan Callahan -- into an empty net -- also scored for New York in the critical game for each team's fading playoff hopes.
Clarke MacArthur and Ron Hainsey scored for Atlanta.
DEVILS 3, PENGUINS 1
In Newark, N.J., Ilya Kovalchuk had a goal and two assists to snap out of a scoring slump and New Jersey beat Stanley Cup champion Pittsburgh for the fifth consecutive time.
Martin Brodeur made 33 saves for his 37th win of the season and 594th overall.
The Devils, who have outscored Pittsburgh 16-3 during the run, pulled within two points of the Penguins for first place in the Atlantic Division with 17 games to play. New Jersey also tied Montreal's NHL record for consecutive seasons with 40 or more victory with 13.
Lightning 3, Capitals 2
In Washington, defenseman Matt Walker scored one goal and created another a few minutes later when his shot deflected in off Vincent Lecavalier, helping struggling Tampa Bay edge the Capitals.
WILD 3, SABRES 2
In Buffalo, N.Y., Josh Harding made 43 saves, and Andrew Ebbett, Guillaume Latendresse and Andrew Brunette scored to help Minnesota beat the Sabres.
KINGS 2, STARS 1 (SO)
In Dallas, Jerret Stoll scored in the sixth round of a shootout to give Los Angeles a victory.
After the first 11 shooters failed to score, Stoll beat Marty Turco with a wrist shot for the Kings' fifth victory in five games against the Stars this season.
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