It was uneven. There were stretches that they were outplayed by Florida. But in a contest that Henrik Lundqvist tabbed as a "must-win game," the Rangers did just enough to eke out a 4-3 win over the Panthers on Sunday.

Game Highlights:



It was a mixed bag, as several players stood out, some good, some bad.

Chris Kreider was in each side of the ledger. His forechecking on his first shift resulted in the turnover, leading to JT Miller's goal off a great move by Ryan McDonagh, dish to Kreider and pass to Miller. Other than that play, he was up-and-down throughout the game, but the issue of his lack of using his physical strength under Torts no longer seems to be an problem.

That said, I understand why he felt he had to come to Derek Stepan's defense when he was engaged with Scottie Upshall. We have bemoaned the fact that the team has allowed liberties to be taken with too many players with no response, so hard to criticize someone when there is a response. However, in this situation with Stepan pretty much even against Upshall, the team leading by just one goal and less than 90 seconds left, Kreider has to be smart there. Could I foresee a suspension? Yes, solely because of where Upshall was in relation to the boards, but it looks like one may not be forthcoming.

Brad Richards. On an eight-game goalless streak and fighting it, seen by him slamming and breaking his stick shortly after missing a wide-open bunny tap-in goal. If he is but scoring, even though he may be doing other things, his value to the team is diminished a bit. Of course, he made up for it later with a higher degree of difficulty goal off a feed from Carl Hagelin. I would rather see a player get upset and show passion than be laissez faire, which looked to be the case with Richards way too often last season. Dan Girardi said that Richards really cares and his effort this year is proof positive.

Hagelin. His speed off the forechecking created the Richards goal. It's amazing the difference on this team with Hagelin and Kreider there, as their ability to forecheck, use their speed to create turnovers and go from D to O has been huge lately. Also, real good work by Derek Dorsett on his goal. He stuck with the puck, and used his size and strength to get several whacks at the puck befor scoring to even the game at two.

Lundqvist was a beast. He may several remarkable saves to keep the team in the game. Without him they lose. Of course, the flip-side to this is that the back check and ability to clear the puck and players from the crease were horrible at times, leading to two of the three goals (the PPG against gets a pass because they were outnumbered, but that goal also came off an inability to clear the puck following two brilliant saves by Hank).

As Pat Leonard wrote: "Not faring so well? Benoit Pouliot, who saw about seven minutes of ice time. Maybe a healthy scratch will spark him, as it has for many underachievers. When Dom Moore returns, maybe Saturday, there’s an opening. Give Derick Brassard a better left winger on that third line. J.T. Miller had some ups and downs, but he’ll play hard and go to the net. If not Miller, a call up. Still only 12 healthy forwards." Mashinter hasn't been great but Pouliot should be scratched based on his poor performance. Derick Brassard also hasn't been good, but he is somewhat miscast as a third line center and if/when Nash comes back, the overcrowding at the top six will only be worse. Though that could help Brassard, since he might play with Miller and Hagelin in a third line that creates chances.

Carp put it best: "I thought the Rangers’ first PP was one of their best of the season, even though it didn’t score. Then the 5-on-3 was really good, on some set plays drawn up by Scott Arniel." The puck and player movement is so much better than last year. Of course, moving McDonagh up to top line point, insertion of Zucc and return of Callahan haven't hurt matters. Plus that moves Kreider to second line PP where is another big body in front.

Congrats to Martin Biron, who will be joining MSG as a studio analyst for select games. Getting his insight on goaltending and Lundqvist should be great.

Another fun intra-division and rivalry game tomorrow against a hot Devils team, including Martin Brodeur between the pipes.

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