By Joe Haggerty
CSNNE.com
NEW YORK CITYThe Bruins didnt have quite as much to play for as a Rangers team bent on survival, and it showed in the third period. The Bs could have climbed to within two points of the top seed in the Eastern conference while reaching 101 points on the season, but they couldn't hold onto a 3-0 lead as the Rangers scored twice in the second period and three times in the third for a come-from-behind 5-3 victory over Boston.
Brandon Dubinsky tied it on a Tomas Kaberle blown coverage in front, and then Michael Sauer potted the game-winner when he trickled a puck past Tim Thomas.The Bs stormed out and made a resounding statement in the first period after looking half-asleep during their last opening period a week ago Saturday against the Rangers, and the point was well taken. Daniel Paille nearly scored on a breakaway, and then did score Bostons first goal later in the first period when he redirected a Johnny Boychuk shot pass from the right point.Nathan Horton made it a two-goal lead for the Bruins with his 25th goal of the season after he collected a loose puck in front of the net and fired it past a sprawled Henrik Lundqvist.Chris Kelly scored his first goal as a member of the Bruins on a short side softie in the second period to extend things to a 3-0 lead, but from there Vinny Prospal and a desperate New York bunch started to make their comeback bid. Both times the Rangers victimized the Andrew FerenceAdam McQuaid pairing that was experiencing a few issues clearing bodies from in front of the net and keeping Prospal away from the scoring areas.Derek Stepan added an empty-netter to salt it away for the Rangers. Joe Haggerty can be reached at jhaggerty@comcastsportsnet.com. Follow Joe on Twitter at http:twitter.comHackswithHaggs