DENVER (AP) -- Kevin Hayes had a goal and two assists and the New York Rangers survived a third-period rally to beat the reeling Colorado Avalanche 6-3 on Thursday night.

Tyson Barie, Semyon Varlamov, Kevin Hayes
New York Rangers right wing Kevin Hayes, right, scores a goal against Colorado Avalanche goalie Semyon Varlamov, of Russia, left, as defenseman Tyson Barrie, back, looks on in the second period of an NHL hockey game Thursday, Feb. 12, 2015, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
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Rick Nash scored his NHL-leading 34th goal and Cam Talbot stopped 26 shots for New York.

The Rangers have won four of their last six to move into third place in the Metropolitan Division. They are three points behind second-place Pittsburgh and have played one less game than the Penguins.

Jarome Iginla, Gabriel Landeskog and Jan Hejda scored for Colorado, which has lost four straight.

The Avalanche, a week ago sitting just outside the last playoff spot after winning three of four, have fallen into last place in the Central Division. Colorado is 12th in the Western Conference a season after having the second-best record in the West.

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