NEW YORK (AP) – Jaromir Jagr was flat on his stomach after scoring and cheers echoed through Madison Square Garden in what might have been his last home game with the New York Rangers.

New York staved off elimination, in what it hopes was the start of a monumental comeback, by beating the Pittsburgh Penguins 3-0 on Thursday night.

The building was in a frenzy after Jagr’s second-period goal broke a scoreless tie. He added an empty-netter, and Henrik Lundqvist did the rest with a perfect 29-save performance.

Jagr whipped a shot past Marc-Andre Fleury from the slot and then absorbed a high, heavy hit from Brooks Orpik that flattened the Rangers captain. He was assisted to the bench after a few anxious moments on the ice, but took his next shift as appreciative fans chanted his name.

The Penguins, who lost for the first time in eight playoff games this year, still lead the best-of-seven Eastern Conference semifinal 3-1. They will try again to finish off the Rangers in Game 5 in Pittsburgh on Sunday.

Only two NHL teams have come back to win after trailing 3-0, and none have done it since the 1975 New York Islanders against Pittsburgh.

Lundqvist, who allowed five goals to Pittsburgh in two of the first three games of the series, was on top of his game – his best moments coming against MVP finalist Evgeni Malkin. The second-year Penguins forward was denied by Lundqvist’s right skate at the post in the first period and then on a penalty shot in the second.

NBA playoffs

Pistons 100, 76ers 77

PHILADELPHIA – Richard Hamilton hit his first five shots during Detroit’s overpowering start, and the Pistons rolled into the second round of the playoffs by crushing the Philadelphia 76ers on Thursday.

The Pistons will host the Orlando Magic, who eliminated Toronto in five games, on Saturday in the opener of the Eastern Conference semifinals.

Hamilton finished with 24 points, 13 in the first quarter when he outscored the 76ers by himself. Chauncey Billups had 20 points for the Pistons, who reached the second round for the seventh straight season.

Detroit held Philadelphia without a field goal for nearly the first 6 minutes of the game.

Andre Iguodala scored 16 points for the Sixers.