Dubinsky snaps 3rd-period tie, gives Rangers 2-1 win over Hurricanes

Dubinsky’s 3rd period goal lifts NYR to 2-1 win

RALEIGH, N.C. — Brandon Dubinsky’s goal at 11:49 of the third gave the New York Rangers a 2-1 victory over the Carolina Hurricanes on Thursday night.

Dubinsky, who called New York’s 6-0 home loss to Philadelphia on Wednesday the worst NHL game he has ever played, scored the winner off an assist from Marian Gaborik. Gaborik, who has 26 goals this season, is the fourth NHL player to reach 50 points this season. He assisted on both goals.

Erik Christensen, moved up to center the top line between Gaborik and Dubinsky, added a goal and an assist. Those were his first two points of the season.

The Rangers outshot the Hurricanes 35-18, and Henrik Lundqvist earned his 17th win. Carolina’s Cam Ward fell to 5-14-5.

Carolina (10-23-7), last in the NHL with 27 points, fell to 1-8-2 when tied after two periods.

Joni Pitkanen scored for Carolina on a 4-on-3 power play at 11:08 of the first when his shot from the slot bounced off Lundqvist’s back and over the goal line. Ray Whitney had the primary assist.

Christensen tied it during the Rangers’ 5-on-3 power play at 17:36 of the first. He fired a rebound of Gaborik’s shot over Ward’s left shoulder.

Carolina had a goal disallowed at 10:18 of the second, when it was ruled that a puck that bounced off Brandon Sutter’s chest went in because of Sutter’s contact with Lundqvist.

Eric Staal had an assist on Pitkanen’s goal, giving him eight points in three games.

NOTES: New York leads the season series 2-0, with both meetings in Raleigh. The teams will meet again on Saturday in New York. … Rangers LW Vinny Prospal missed his second straight game following knee surgery. He is expected to be sidelined from 10 days to three weeks. … Carolina is 3-5-0 on New Year’s Eve at home, including 0-2 against the Rangers.