NHL

Stepan lifts NHL-best Rangers over Coyotes in shootout

Derek Stepan’s goal in the sixth round of the shootout lifted the Rangers past the Coyotes 2-1 Tuesday night.

Stepan beat Phoenix goalie Mike Smith high to the glove side before the Rangers’ Henrik Lundqvist stopped Coyotes captain Shane Doan to secure the win. The Rangers, who won for the 10th time in 11 games, improved to 27-9-4 for a league-leading 58 points and their best start since 1993-94 when they won the Stanley Cup.

After two scoreless periods, Ruslan Fedotenko put New York ahead at 2:27 of the third with his sixth goal of the season. Phoenix’s Radim Vrbata tied it with his team-leading 20th with 9:23 remaining in regulation.

Smith made a spectacular stick save on Marion Gaborik at 3:10 of overtime on a penalty shot.