Rangers Get Win in Chicago

Things were finally different for goaltender Kirk McLean and the New York Rangers.

McLean, who has struggled against Chicago throughout his career, helped the Rangers end a seven-game winless streak with a 3-1 victory over the Blackhawks Sunday night at Chicago.

Entering Sunday night’s game at the United Center, McLean was 1-7-1 with a lifetime goals-against average of 4.99 against Chicago.

And the Rangers hadn’t posted a victory since Oct. 17 against Atlanta.

But Sunday, McLean stopped 23 shots and enjoyed strong defensive support from his teammates.

“This was the best 60 minute effort we had all year, I think,” said McLean, who had previously faced the Blackhawks while with Vancouver and Florida. “We worked hard and got the timely goals. Now we just have to snowball it.” .

Chicago has yet to win at home this season. The Blackhawks, who got their lone goal in the third period from Wendel Clark, dropped to 0-5-3 at the United Center.

Tampa Bay 3, Detroit 2--Chris Gratton and Darcy Tucker scored within 66 seconds early in the third period to lead the Lightning, the NHL’s worst team the past two seasons, to a surprising victory over the Red Wings at Tampa, Fla.

The Lightning ended a 10-game winless streak (0-9-1) against Detroit with their first victory since Jan. 12, 1994. The last time Tampa Bay beat Detroit at home was Nov. 11, 1992, ending a nine-game (0-8-1) winless drought.

St. Louis 6, Vancouver 1--Michal Handzus and Mike Eastwood scored two goals each at Vancouver as the Blues beat the Canucks for the 10th time in a row.

The Blues’ last loss to the Canucks came Dec. 18, 1996 in St. Louis.

Carolina 3, Washington 2--Bates Battaglia scored in second period and linemate Ron Francis moved into a tie for fifth on the all-time assists list as the Hurricanes beat the Capitals at Raleigh, N.C.