Moore Lifts Rangers to Win in Eastern Final Opener

Former college players keep coming through in the clutch for the New York Rangers this spring.

Dominic Moore (Harvard) scored his first goal of this year's Stanley Cup Playoffs, redirecting home a centering freed from Kevin Hayes (Boston College) with 2:25 remaining in regulation on Saturday at Madison Square Garden. The goal gave the Rangers a 2-1 win in the opener of their Eastern Conference final series with the Tampa Bay Lightning.

Moore played at Harvard from 1999 to 2003, where he tallied 64 goals and 82 assists for 146 points in 128 games, according to USCHO.com. He also collected 27 power-play goals and 13 game-winners while leading the Crimson to  two NCAA Tournament berths and an ECAC tournament title.

Derek Stepan (Wisconsin) opened the scoring for New York with 13 seconds left in the second period, knocking home a rebound off assists from Chris Kreider (Boston College) and Ryan McDonagh (Wisconsin). Stepan sent the Rangers to the NHL semifinal round with his game-winning overtime goal at the Garden in Game 7 against the Washington Capitals on Wednesday.

Ben Bishop (Maine) made 30 saves for the Lightning, who scored their only goal Saturday on a third-period power play. Game 2 will be held Monday at MSG.