Rangers Win in OT vs. Panthers, Now Tops in NHL

Marian Gaborik scored 3:29 into overtime for the New York Rangers, who outlasted the Florida Panthers 3-2 and moved to the top of the NHL standings on Thursday night with their eighth win in nine games.

Gaborik took a drop pass from Derek Stepan in the high slot and slapped in a drive for his 23rd goal of the season. New York (25-9-4) stayed one point ahead of Boston in the Eastern Conference, but jumped one point in front of West-leading Vancouver, which was idle.

Martin Biron, starting for the fourth time in nine games to give No. 1 goalie Henrik Lundqvist a lighter workload, made 19 saves. Defenseman Anton Stralman and captain Ryan Callahan also scored for the Rangers.

Marcel Goc and Mike Santorelli scored, and Scott Clemmensen stopped 38 shots for the Panthers.

(Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press.  All Rights Reserved.)