Rangers rebound for OT win

Associated Press

NEW YORK

Kevin Klein lost part of his ear in the first period, then found the back of the net in overtime to give the New York Rangers a stirring victory.

Klein, known more for his defense, has discovered his offensive game this season. The defenseman has scored a career-best six goals and has a career-high three game-winners — including two in overtime.

His latest was the difference in a 4-3 victory over Pittsburgh on Monday night after the Rangers squandered a late two-goal lead when the Penguins struck twice in 24 seconds.

“It might have hit their D-man in front. I was just trying to get it by,” Klein said of his slap shot. “When it went in, I was pretty happy.”

Klein’s first goal of the season was also in overtime in a 4-3 win on Oct. 21 at New Jersey. He then netted the winner on Nov. 19 against Philadelphia.

This one was even more dramatic because early in the game, Klein was bloodied by a high stick from Pittsburgh’s Zach Sill that ripped off part of his ear. That was reattached, and Klein resumed his role on the ice and scored for the second straight game.

“I am getting a lot of heat because I’m not using him on the power play,” Rangers coach Alain Vigneault said with a smile. “That is the second time he has come up real big for us in overtime.

“Good for him. He lost a piece of his ear, and they sewed it back. Say what you want about hockey players, but they are tough.”

Rick Nash broke a second-period tie with his sixth goal in eight games, and Henrik Lundqvist returned to the net with 32 saves for New York.

Nash and J.T. Miller (East Palestine) scored in the middle period to turn a one-goal deficit into a lead, and Kevin Hayes made it 3-1 with 7:02 left in regulation. Lundqvist earned his third win in his past five appearances after sitting out New York’s 3-2 loss at Detroit on Saturday.

Nick Spaling staked Pittsburgh to a 1-0 lead in the first period, and Evgeni Malkin and Steve Downie scored in rapid succession in the third. Marc-Andre Fleury stopped 25 shots for the Penguins, who have dropped two of three overall and two of three to the Rangers this season.

Malkin started the comeback with his 15th goal at 15:17, and Downie tied it with his fourth seconds later after the Rangers couldn’t handle a bouncing puck in their end. Downie also assisted on Spaling’s goal.

“It wasn’t easy,” Penguins captain Sidney Crosby said. “It was a good job by everyone to stick with it and get ourselves into overtime ... but it’s never fun losing.

“Sometimes you don’t always get the result you want, but you have to be able to look in the mirror, and I think everyone did that.”