NEW YORK (AP) – Clarke MacArthur and Kyle Turris scored in a 1:04 span late in the second period and the Ottawa Senators’ continued their dazzling playoff push behind goaltender Andrew Hammond with a 3-0 victory over the New York Rangers on Thursday night.
Hammond had 26 saves for his third shutout as the Senators improved to 22-4-4 since Feb. 10. They have 97 points in the wild five-team race for the final four playoff spots in the Eastern Conference.
Hammond has been the difference for Ottawa. The 27-year-old is 19-1-2 since taking over as the starting goaltender on Feb. 8. This win over the Presidents’ Cup winners avenged his only loss.
Jean-Gabriel Pageau scored into an empty net with 1:39 to play.
The Rangers tested him, particularly in the third period but he stood tall.
Henrik Lundqvist made 24 saves. His four-game winning streak and the Rangers’ five-game run ended.
