Brad Richards slipped a backhand shot past Mike Smith with 0.1 seconds remaining in regaultion to lift the Rangers to a dramatic 3-2 victory over the Phoenix Coyotes Saturday night at Jobing.com Arena. Richards was set up off some hard work cycling the puck deep in the offensive zone by Brandon Dubinsky, Ryan Callahan, and Ryan McDonagh, and his shot seemed to deflect off a Coyotes stick and past Smith. Marian Gaborik scored twice, including the tying goal early in the third period---the 300th of his NHL career, as the Rangers rallied from a 2-1 deficit in the final period. Gaborik opened the scoring on a breakaway power play goal 8:34 into the first period, and then tied the game 2-2 1:09 into the third when he converted a giveaway by Keith Yandle in front of the Coyotes net. Gaborik now has 17 goals on the season, and has reached 300 goals in 670 career games. Former Ranger Lauri Korpikoski scored a shorthanded goal with nine seconds left in the opening period for Phoenix, which also received a score from Cal O'Reilly with 52 seconds remaining in the second to grab a 2-1 lead. Martin Biron turned aside 21 shots to earn his sixth win in seven starts in goal for the Rangers this season, while Mike Rupp returned to the lineup after a 22-game absence following knee surgery. Rupp was a presence, playing a strong physical game, even mixing it up with Raffi Torres in the first period. Artem Anisimov was ill and did not play for the Rangers, the first game he has missed after appearing in 193 straight for the Blueshirts. Share your thoughts on the game below.
