NEW YORK, Feb. 14 (UPI) -- Alexei Kovalev scored a power-play goal early in the third period and Mike Dunham made 26 saves Friday night as the New York Rangers blanked the Pittsburgh Penguins, 1-0, giving them consecutive wins for the first time in three weeks.
Since re-acquiring Kovalev from Pittsburgh on Monday as part of an eight-player trade, the Rangers are 2-0. The All-Star right wing got an empty-netter in Wednesday's 3-1 triumph at Florida and produced the game-winner in his first appearance against his former team.
New York failed to convert on a two-man advantage that carried over to the third period but were still on the power play when defenseman Tom Poti flipped a shot from the blue line. Positioned just above the crease with his back to the net, Kovalev made a backhanded deflection between his legs for his 29th goal.
Dunham made it stand up, recording his third shutout of the season.
The Rangers also got a boost from the return of two-time Norris Trophy winner Brian Leetch, who missed 31 contests with a badly bruised ankle but got the secondary assist on the game's lone goal.
Johan Hedberg stopped 24 shots for the Penguins, who are 0-2 since trading Kovalev and have lost six of their last seven games. Pittsburgh also was without injured regulars Jan Hrdina and Martin Straka.
