ATLANTA, Feb. 8 (UPI) -- Matthew Barnaby and Eric Lindros each scored Friday night as the New York Rangers used one of their better defensive efforts of the season to post a 2-1 win over the Atlanta Thrashers.
Before the game, Barnaby switched with Theo Fleury on the top line along with Lindros and Mike York. Barnaby, who is known for his toughness, responded with his third goal since being acquired from the Tampa Bay Lightning in December.
Friday was the second time in two weeks that Rangers' Coach Ron Low tinkered with the
top line. On Jan. 23, Low paired Jeff Toms with Lindros and York and the team responded with an 8-4 win over the Boston Bruins.
With the game scoreless late in the second period, Barnaby skated in on an odd-man rush, but his initial shot was stopped by rookie Atlanta goalie Pasi Nurminen, but Barnaby gathered in the rebound and fired a wrist shot past Nurminen with 14:18 left.
Nearly five minutes later, Lindros put the Rangers ahead, 2-0, with his 21st goal of the season. Defenseman Brian Leetch deked three defenders and fed Lindros with a cross-ice pass. Lindros then took the pass and put the puck above Nurminen's left shoulder.
The Rangers received a solid effort from goaltender Mike Richter, who made 31 saves.
Richter's bid for his third shutout of the season was ended by former Ranger Ray Ferraro, who stuffed home a rebound through traffic with 6:29 remaining in the contest.
