New York, NY (SportsNetwork.com) - Cam Talbot's 31 saves helped the New York Rangers take a 2-1 win over the Chicago Blackhawks in the first game since the Olympic break for both clubs.
Derick Brassard and Rick Nash scored for the Rangers, who had won five of six going into the break.
"The guys had a great game and a win is a win," said Nash. "I don't think anyone expected the game to be this tight, but it was a huge win and two points."
Peter Regin scored late and Corey Crawford posted 22 saves for the Blackhawks, who have dropped their past two games.
"I thought we were a little off on our timing and our passing," said Chicago head coach Joel Quenneville. "They played great defense, but I don't think we put enough pucks on the net and enough bodies in front of the net."
New York scored halfway through the first period as a turnover in the Chicago end saw Benoit Pouliot get the puck at the left circle and center it for Brassard, who followed up his initial shot and buried the rebound for his 12th of the season.
Talbot made 12 saves in the first then posted seven in the second, with Crawford stopping all 11 he faced in the middle stanza to keep Chicago down by one.
Nash provided some insurance with 4:07 to play as he skated down the right wing and had the puck knocked away. He gathered it in the circle and skated out to the right circle before picking the corner with a wrister for his 19th of the season.
Regin scored with 11.6 seconds left to break up Talbot's shutout, and the Blackhawks nearly tied the game in the final moments as Patrick Kane had a rebound chance at the right side.
Talbot, though, kept it out with a sliding left pad save and New York held on for the win.
Game Notes
New York plays at Philadelphia on Saturday ... Chicago hosts Pittsburgh on Saturday ... New York won both games against Chicago this season, taking a 3-2 win on Jan. 8 in the Windy City.
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