After falling at home Thursday, the New York Rangers desperately wanted to avoid its first losing streak since December.
A blown 2-1 lead late in regulation was the last thing the Rangers wanted to see, though Derek Stepan reversed their fortunes with the game-winning goal in New York's (38-14-5, 81 pts) 3-2 overtime win over the Columbus Blue Jackets (17-35-7, 41 pts) Sunday night at Madison Square Garden.
After Michael Del Zotto faked a shot and fired a backdoor pass to Stepan, the 21-year-old center fired the puck past Columbus goaltender Steve Mason for the game-winner 22 seconds into overtime. Mason stopped 32 shots on the night, while New York goaltender Henrik Lundqvist saved 21.
Rick Nash, Columbus' captain and a potential trade target for New York, tied the game up at 2-2 with 1:33 remaining in regulation. Nash's goal prompted chants of "We don't want you" from the Garden crowd.
The Rangers struck first when Brad Richards scored in the first period. The Blue Jackets' Derick Brassard tied the game in the second before Artem Anisimov snapped the tie shortly thereafter.