Rangers Rally to Beat Bruins, 4-3

Brian Skrudland scored with 23 seconds remaining Sunday to cap a three-goal rally that carried the New York Rangers to a 4-3 victory over the Boston Bruins at New York.

Skrudland, trailing on a rush, took a pass from Bill Berg and beat Bruins goaltender Byron Dafoe from close in for his fifth goal of the season.

Adam Graves’ 10th goal of the season at 3:34 of the third period pulled the Rangers into a 3-3 tie. Brian Leetch carried the puck through several Bruin defenders, then fed Graves from behind the net.

The Rangers appeared to take the lead on a goal by Pat LaFontaine at 6:07 of the first period but referee Mick McGeough had blown the whistle for a penalty against Kevin Stevens and the goal was disallowed.

Boston scored on the ensuing power play when Dmitri Kristich batted a loose puck out of midair past Rangers goaltender Mike Richter for his 14th goal of the season. It was the 19th time in 22 home games this season that the Rangers have surrendered the first goal.

Wayne Gretzky pulled New York into a 1-1 tie with a brilliant individual effort for his 10th goal of the season at 14:42. Gretzky took a wicked slap shot that handcuffed Dafoe, collected the rebound of a follow shot by Alexei Kovalev, circled behind the net and banked the puck in off of Dafoe.