Drury nets in overtime to keep Rangers on top

CHICAGO (Reuters) - Chris Drury delivered a game-winning goal in overtime to push the New York Rangers past the Chicago Blackhawks 3-2 on Friday.

Drury tipped the puck past goaltender Nikolai Khabibulin on a power play 2:23 into the extra session to help the Rangers retain a one-point lead in the Atlantic Division over the Philadelphia Flyers, who also won.

Chicago (24-10-8) still trail leaders Detroit in the Central Division.

"It was an all-around team effort," Brandon Dubinsky told reporters. "Twenty-three guys, including a great coaching staff, found a way to get us a huge two points."

Drury recorded two goals on the night for New York (27-15-4), who won their third successive game and handed the streaking Blackhawks only their fourth defeat in 17 contests.

The Rangers have earned seven points in four games of a five-game road trip. They play at Pittsburgh on Sunday.

Henrik Lundqvist controlled the action in net with 32 saves for the Rangers in his third successive 30-save effort.

The Blackhawks took early control of the game with a goal from Jonathan Toews 15:28 into the first period.

New York responded with a second-period goal by Drury, and a score from Dubinsky at 7:58 in the third.

Brent Seabrook scored the game-tying goal for Chicago on a power play with 4:29 remaining in regulation.

Chicago were without top defenseman Duncan Keith, who was injured in Wednesday''s 4-1 victory over the Buffalo Sabres.

Khabibulin had 19 saves and watched his offense outshoot the Rangers 34-22.

The Blackhawks had plenty of scoring opportunities, enjoying a 5-on-3 advantage in the first period, and another in the second where New York had to kill off four straight penalties.

"That was a pretty wild game," Drury said. "All those penalties we had to kill, and the 5-on-3''s, then tied it up late on one, and then we hang in there and win in overtime. It''s a big win for our team."

(Editing by Peter Rutherford)