NEW YORK -- Brad Richards shook off second-period frustration to power the New York Rangers offence in the third. The Florida Panthers are still looking for any answer how to bust out of a long losing streak that has already cost one coach his job. Richards snapped a tie in the opening minute of the third period and then set up an insurance goal that became necessary as the surging Rangers handed the Panthers their ninth straight loss with a 4-3 victory on Sunday night. A missed prime scoring chance in the second period prompted Richards to shatter his stick against a goal post. His productivity in the third, had Panthers goalie Tim Thomas expressing similar frustration with his equipment. Richards snapped a shot past Thomas 46 seconds in, and punched the glass in celebration of his first goal in nine games. Richards then assisted on Mats Zuccarellos power-play goal that made it 4-2 and guided the Rangers to their third consecutive win and sixth in seven games. "It seemed like one of those nights where you wonder if something was against you. But we got a clean sheet of ice and I put one into the net," Richards said. "Weve been winning lately, which brings the mood of everybody up." The Panthers know nothing of that lately. They have lost nine in a row (0-5-4), and show no signs of breaking out of it, even with strong performances on back-to-back days in road losses to Ottawa and New York. Defenceman Brian Campbell scored his second of the game -- and the season -- to cut Floridas deficit to 4-3 with 7:03 left, but the Panthers couldnt get over the hump, even with a late power play after Thomas was pulled for an extra skater. Florida let a one-goal lead get away in the second, committed a crucial turnover that led to Richards go-ahead goal, and then took two penalties 53 seconds apart that led to Zuccarellos 5-on-3 tally that made it 4-2 at 6:16 of the third. "I dont know what to say," Campbell said. "It deflates you, but youve got to keep pushing. Thats how teams lose hockey games. "Its tough getting down 5-on-3. Sometimes you have to be a little more careful and not let that happen." Interim coach Peter Horachek, who took over for the fired Kevin Dineen on Friday, took a more pointed approach after dropping to 0-2. "You are not going to win games if you turn pucks over," he said. "We are not going to get better until we decide we are going to manage the puck better. These are unforced errors. You cant win hockey games that way." After a sluggish start during a season-opening, nine-game trip, the Rangers have found their stride. J.T. Miller and Derek Dorsett also scored for New York (9-8), which went over .500 for the first time this season. Henrik Lundqvist made 24 saves, but the Rangers had their nine-game streak of holding opponents under three goals broken. "Even though theyve been struggling a little bit lately, its still a tough game to play," Lundqvist said. "The second goal for us when we tied it up was a big, big goal, going out and getting that confidence, knowing that we can do this." Aleksander Barkov had the other goal for the Panthers. Thomas, in his second straight start after returning from injury, stopped 25 shots. He also took a roughing penalty when he punched Miller in the head after Miller crashed into him. He said the hit wasnt dirty, but probably crossed a line. "I was just frustrated because I really wanted to help us to win and turn that corner," Thomas said. "I wanted to be able to be that difference to help us to break out of this." Much of the second period was played at a chaotic pace with chances missed at both ends. Campbell notched his 400th NHL point on his first with the help of a fortunate bounce. Campbell took a pass at the left point and fired a drive that struck the left post, caromed off Lundqvists backside, and went in with 9:01 left in the second. "Were doing so many good things, saying the right things. I believe guys have bought in," Thomas said. They want to turn this corner so bad, it just hasnt happened yet. Its going to, we just have to stick with it. "Its kind of equal right now in the luck category. If we keep working hard, the bounces will all go our way in one game." The Rangers tied it 2-2 when Dorsett pushed the puck into Thomas at the left post, and then put in the rebound with 6:02 remaining in the second for his second of the season. "I dont think we played that well," Zuccarello said. "At the same time we pushed the pace a little bit extra when they went up 2-1." New York grabbed a 1-0 lead in the first after forcing a turnover in the neutral zone. Defenceman Ryan McDonagh took a pass from Miller and handed it off to Chris Kreider, who quickly found Miller alone on the left side for a shot into the open net at 9:49. Thomas played well, allowing Florida to get even in the closing seconds of the first with a rare power-play goal. Two shots in close were stopped by Lundqvist, but the second by Kris Versteeg rebounded over to the 18-year-old Barkov, who scored inside the right post with 26.1 seconds left in the first. Barkov, the No. 2 pick in this years draft, has four goals in his first 18 NHL games. NOTES: Barkovs power-play goal was just the sixth for the Panthers this season in their first 61 chances, the worst percentage in the 30-team NHL. ... Florida C Scott Gomez missed his second straight game and third in four because of a groin injury. Greedy Williams Browns Jersey . Numbers Game looks into the Wild getting Matt Moulson from Buffalo. The Wild Get: LW Matt Moulson and LW Cody McCormick. Myles Garrett Youth Jersey . -- The Tampa Bay Lightning are disappointed, though not discouraged. http://www.brownsrookiestore.com/Browns-...Seibert-Jersey/. Scolari says that although Brazilians have the right to complain about the government and demand improvements, perhaps the protests wont be coming at the "right time. Myles Garrett Jersey . Right-hander Ricky Nolasco and the Twins agreed to terms on a free-agent contract Wednesday, a person with knowledge of the deal told The Associated Press. Jarvis Landry Jersey . "I just think what it does for everybody in life is real simple," said Babcock early on Friday afternoon. "You dont give in. You just keep on keeping on. Is it going to go your way every time? No. But you choose your attitude and how you perform and how hard you dig in." Nearly four years to the day of the 2010 gold medal match in Vancouver, his team dug in with its best effort of these Olympics, snuffing out the high-powered Americans for another opportunity at gold.Got a question on rule clarification, comments on rule enforcements or some memorable NHL stories? Kerry wants to answer your emails at cmonref@tsn.ca! Hello Kerry, Hope all is well and youre enjoying your retirement. My question to you is what do referees do in between games to stay physically fit? Do you guys travel with personal trainers? Wondering more about a referees experience between the games travelling and things you did to blow off some steam and de-stress. Take care, Shane Armstrong Shane, Without prejudice and to a man, I have to say that NHL referees and linesmen are the most physically fit group of professional officials you will find in any sport. To be perfectly candid, it wasnt always that way. The good news of today however is that the "donut" box has long since been pushed aside and replaced with a much healthier lifestyle along with a personal commitment to fitness; one that is not only mandatory but fully supported by the NHL Officiating Department. At the very least the speed, size and athleticism of the modern-day NHL player demand this commitment from each member of the officiating team. An excellent income and good standard of living they are able to provide for themselves and their family is also a motivating factor. While the guys dont travel with a personal trainer, the NHL employs David T. Smith in this capacity. Dave (brother of former Detroit Red Wings assistant coach Barry Smith) served as the certified physical therapist and strength/conditioning coach for the Stanley Cup Champion New York Rangers and the Florida Panthers until he was hired by the NHL to work directly with their officials. Smitty designs a program and schedule for each official to follow throughout the summer months in preparation of a strenuous fitness test they are required to pass on the first day of training camp. A separate program is also provided for maintenance throughout the season and playoffs. Dave not only monitors their fitness throughout the entire year but is also responsible for injury rehabilitation and obtaining medical clearance for an official to return to active duty. Unlike a hockey team that lives and travels together throughout a season, the fact that a total of 77 members of the NHL officiating team are scattered across North America presents somewhat of a challenge for Smitty. Working from his home base in Buffalo, Dave attends games in that city and Toronto to personally touch base with crews assigned there. The demands of commercial air travel throughout the season must be properly managed by each official. Typically, an official flies over 1550,000 miles per season and can be away from home for more than 20 nights a month.dddddddddddd There are no charter flights with meals prepared for an official or any home games, either. Getting the proper rest, diet, fitness and injury management is required of each individual official. Self-discipline is required to meet these challenges. A typical game-day routine would find the officiating crew assemble for a light breakfast and conversation in the Marriott Hotel concierge lounge between 8am and 9am. They then regroup in the hotel health club for a mid-morning workout consisting of light cardio, stretching and some weight training. On non-game-days, each official will balance his workout intensity with a travel schedule that often includes moving on to a different city for back-to-back games. (Officials are required to book travel that finds them arrive in a city no later than Noon on the day of a game.) Post-game unwinding takes place after the crew returns to their hotel, unpacks their sweaty equipment to air dry (in their hotel room) and perhaps make a call home to touch base with the days events. A light meal and a few adult beverages of choice are usually consumed in the hotel bar. If guys have a day off the next day, they might decide to "blow off steam" outside of the hotel. Moderation is always the first and best intention. Each official will manage his down time depending upon personal interests and how his body feels. Thirty of the best cities in North America are frequented. Some warm-weather destinations are visited in the dead of winter where guys can play golf or catch some sun around the pool to recharge their batteries. Each NHL city or the surrounding area has a unique charm and history if an official takes the time to look around and smell the roses. I found sightseeing an enjoyable way to spend free time; whether in Old Montreal; skating on the Canal in Ottawa; a drive, bike ride or hike in the mountains around Calgary or Denver or Sonoma near Phoenix; the sheer beauty of Vancouver no matter where you look; walking the docks of Marina del Rey or Venice Beach near LA ; day trips to Napa wine country or Fishermans Wharf in San Francisco when working a Sharks game; fishing, sailing or golfing on both ocean coasts. I could go on and on but I think you get the picture, Shane, its crucial to maintaining a high level of fitness and proper time management! Oh I almost forgot, NHL officials are paid quite handsomely for the abuse they sometimes take. God, I miss all of it. Have a great weekend everyone and be sure to manage your time wisely. ' ' '