UNIONDALE, N.Y., April 1 (UPI) -- In a fierce battle between archrivals, the New York Rangers erased a two-goal third-period deficit but squandered a valuable point Tuesday night in a 2-2 tie with the New York Islanders.
Alexei Kovalev scored the equalizer with 3:59 left in
regulation, helping the Rangers remain three points behind the Islanders for the final NHL Eastern Conference playoff berth.
The Rangers rallied from a pair of third-period deficits Monday against Atlanta before suffering a 4-3 overtime loss. They faced a similar fate against their biggest rivals before staying alive in the playoff race.
Defenseman Brian Leetch beat Garth Snow with a slap shot 4:47 into the third period to get the Rangers on the board.
With the Rangers less than four minutes from elimination, Kovalev finished a perfect feed by Eric Lindros, putting a one-timer past Snow from the right side of the crease.
Arron Asham and Alexei Yashin scored for the Islanders, who have three games remaining, one more than the Rangers. The Isles can clinch a playoff berth on Thursday in Detroit.
