Rangers back on top with win over Canadiens

The New York Rangers regained first place in the NHL overall with a league best 50th win of the season on Friday, a comfortable 4-1 victory over the Montreal Canadiens at Madison Square Garden.

The Eastern Conference leading Rangers have won four straight and have 107 points, one better than the Western Conference leading St. Louis Blues, with four games remaining.

Rangers defenseman Michael Del Zotto scored two third period goals and had an assist to lead the offense.

Brad Richards scored a second period goal and had two assists, while Marian Gaborik opened the scoring for New York in the first period by settling a loose puck in front of the Montreal goal before snapping a shot past Carey Price.

Rene Bourque denied Rangers goalie Henrik Lundqvist a shutout by scoring on Montreal's final shot of the game with less than three minutes left to play. Lundqvist made 19 saves for his 38th win.

(Reporting by Mike Mouat in Windsor, Ontario, Editing by Nick Mulvenney. To query or comment on this story email sportsfeedback@thomsonreuters.com)