The Rangers (43-18-7) eked out a 4-3 OT win over the Islanders due to several factors, one of which not so surprising, and the other, probably shocking. The win enabled the Rangers to match their point total of last year.

The not so surprising one was the play and production of Brad Richards. Yes, the two PPG were nice (more on that later) as well as the chemistry shown with Marian Gaborik, reunited and it feels so good (sorry, Peaches and Herb, couldn’t resist), and Carl Hagelin. However, what I thought was the most important part of his performance was his aggressiveness and quick reaction. Both were evidenced on his first goal. He basically went blue line to the high slot for the shot and goal, but what made it more impressive, was that he never looked to pass. Richards got the puck, saw and created the opening and went straight towards the end. No bearing off wide, no looking to find a winger, this was his play and he was going to advantage of what the D offered him. On the second, he got some room on the wing and blasted a shot on net (more on that later), resulting in the goal. Then, on the GWG, he showed the patience that we are used to from him. As he said in the post-game, he heard the fans screaming shoot the puck, but there was no angle given the triangle/diamond played by the Isles on the 4-on-3, so instead of getting the shot blocked, he waited, enabling Gabby to find some open space and delivered the pass setting up the goal.

The shocking has to be three power-play goals. The first two were scored by Richards while the game-winner was scored by Gabby. On the first two, one key change was the inclusion of Brian Boyle up front. We have spoken in the past about creating traffic in front and making it tough for the goalie. The addition of Boyle played immediate dividends on the second goal, as his big body screened Nabokov resulting in Richards’ goal. In addition, MZA played a key role and it was good to see the confidence that Torts had in him to throw him out on the 4-on-3 in OT. With MDZ banged up and no real true other option to play the point on the PP, maybe the Rangers go with five forwards at times, putting Zucc and Richards on the points, which enables a bit more flow as they are creators from that spot and could allow the other four, besides Boyle, to move around the perimeter, dart into holes, creating mismatches and clear lanes for shots, rather than remaining stagnant.

The other good piece of news was the performance of the Prust-Boyle-Feds line. That combination in my opinion has to remain intact. Beyond what the individuals do on the PK, the constant forechecking and disrupting of the opponents’ top line make them huge for this team. In addition, you see signs of past production from Boyle, who seems to have somewhat regained his scoring touch while doing lots of the little things that help the Rangers win.

On the flip side, Hank is fighting the puck a bit. Nineteen goals in his past five games, after allowing just 13 in 10 February games, either show a sign of regression and return to the norm or a slump. I believe it’s more of the latter, as Hank has had stretches like this in the past, and this is when Benoit Allaire needs to help him regain the edge he had during that February stretch of games.

Cally (foot) and MDZ (hip) did not practice Monday and pretty much are out again tonight. On MDZ, signed he aggravated the injury the last time, he played, it’s wise to let him heal and make sure he is 100 percent. That said, as I have said before, would love for Tim Erixon to be up here, notwithstanding the streak Stu Bickel just had as to not being on ice for a goal against, which was just snapped. I think Erixon, like MZA, matured and grew in the minors and would not make the same mistakes he made earlier during the year before he was sent down. Plus, he could help on the PP. On Cally, we all have the same fear as to the true extent and nature of his foot injury. We all hope that it truly is just a bruise and not anything worse.

Brandon Dubinsky put it best, it was a “stop the bleeding” win. It was a win that was desperately needed, for cushion in the conference and division, and more important, for team confidence. Given what had happened the past week or so, the team was reeling a bit and needed the win to center them. It started, until the third period, Friday against Chicago and peaked Sunday against the Islanders. Now, they need to keep it going tonight, or it becomes like a footnote and only mildly relevant. A point tonight means that the Rangers will head in to Thursday’s match-up against the Penguins knowing that even if they lose to Pittsburgh, they will still be on top the conference and division.

Lines tonight should be:
Hagelin-Richards-Gaborik
Dubinsky-Anisimov-Stepan
Prust-Boyle-Feds
Rupp-Mitchell-MZA

Girardi-McDonagh
Stralman-Staal
Eminger-Bickel

Hank

The Hurricanes (26-28-15) are in essence playing out the string, having lost four of their last six, but with Eric Staal there along with Jiri Tlusty and Jeff Skinner, they are still a dangerous team. Cam Ward, who is coming off a pair of stellar outings, is looking to end a four-game losing streak against New York. In addition welcome back Bobby Sanguinetti (as pointed out, the Rangers took him over Claude Giroux, with many teams questioning whether Giroux could stand up to the daily pounding of the NHL, which he has proven everyone wrong. What did happen, other than dealing Sangs for picks that led to Jesper Fasth and Tim Erixon, is that the Rangers selected a few undersized players, including Ryan Bourque and the JAM). Also, welcome back tconsolo, great post, and forgive me all for not projecting lines when everyone is back or who will be dealt next year as focusing on the here and now before worrying about what happens when everyone – hopefully – is healthy and down the road).

Following tonight’s contest, the Rangers continue their seven-game homestand, facing the Penguins (Thursday), Avalanche (Saturday), Devils (March 19), Red Wings (March 21) and Sabres (March 23). One win down, six more to go.

Let’s Go Rangers!!!

(also, i anyone wants in on my tourney pool, 10 per sheet, more points for upsets, PM me your email address and name and I will send you an invite).

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