The Rangers rebounded from a disappointing performance to clinch a playoff berth with a 5-1 win over the Senators. New York faced what might have been the hottest team and goalie last night - I say might because Tampa, Columbus, Dallas and a few others have reeled off wins lately - dispatching them with relative ease. The kind of streak NY is on - 36-9-3 in their last 48 games - on the face of it is staggering, let alone how much of it was done with Henrik Lundqvist. As such, major kudos to Cam Talbot, who helped the load while Lundqvist was sidelined.
What did I take from last night:
- The ability to bounce back. That capacity to rebound from a bad loss is needed come post-season. you have to flip the switch, either from a negative to a positive or from a positive to neutral game-to-game come the playoffs. This has been a hallmark of the team this year.
- Playoffs nine times in 10 years with the lone miss in 2009-10. Of course, I had the misfortune of attending that game. But the streak is impressive. The salary cap has forced GM Glen Sather to tone down his use of ridiculous free agent deals. I say tone down because there has been a few but they are minimal by comparison to the older days and much more spaced out lately. The build out of the farm and use of that both on the current team and as trade chips has helped create this roster.
- Speed. Counter attack, Scoring off the rush. Offensive skill. Strong defense, especially after the first period. All were on full display last night. The bank pass from Derek Stepan to Chris Kreider on the first goal and then Kreider's strength to get in from for his second of the game and 20th of the season. Rick Nash to Dan Boyle for his marker. The outlet from Keith Yandle to Kevin Hayes and Hayes' pass to Mats Zuccarello for the 2-on-1 break goal. Hayes, who has 22 points his last 27 games, other assist to Tanner Glass, yes Virginia, there is a Santa Claus as Glass scored. By the way, good for Glass. He has rightly been criticized but he has been somewhat better lately and deserves to have some positive in this season. After allowing 11 shots in the first, the Rangers tightened up and allowed 13 the next two, even though Ottawa had six power plays, none of which they scored on. Dan Girardi, before he was cut by the puck, was a beast again for the second straight night. It's been easy to get on him, but i will ask this. How many other defensive pairings in the league would you want out consistently against the other playoff team's top line besides McDonagh and Girardi?
- Playoffs clinched. Seven points to the Division. Thirteen or 14 points to clinch for the conference and 14 or 15 for the Presidents' Trophy. All goals we clearly had in sight before this streak started or even when Hank went down.
- Eight points ahead of the Islanders with two games in hand, so their max is 107 points. In the Eastern Conference standings, the Rangers are one point ahead of Montreal and two points ahead of Tampa Bay and have two games in hand on each, so the Canadiens' max is 114, making the conference clincher 13 or 14, depending on tie-breakers. It is only the eighth time in franchise history that the Rangers have posted at least 100 points. New York is tied with Anaheim with three games in hand, one point ahead Nashville with two games in hand and two head of St. Louis with a game in hand. Their maxes are 113, 114 and 115, making the clincher for NY a max of 14 or 15 points.
- What matters now, even beyond positioning, is health and getting the chemistry set for the playoffs. Lundqvist will be between the pipes Saturday against Boston or Sunday against Washington. Getting him six or seven games with really no pressure is great, as it allows him to ease back in. Martin St. Louis, sidelined with his sprained knee for 12 days already, skated yesterday and today. He won't return within the original 10-14 projection, but the Rangers' hot streak enables him to fully heal. Hopefully he misses just one more week and comes back for the last 3-4 or four games of the season. Same for Kevin Klein, out with a fractured left arm. Once MSL and Klein are ready to return, the lineup shuffle continues. Given the current construction of the lines, put MSL with Hayes and Hagelin and Fast with D. Moore and James Sheppard. I think Klein plays with Marc Staal and Yandle with Boyle but mixing and matching could occur.
One more. Let everyone else criticize out team, even though who are purported fans. All that matters is that they are in the playoffs with bigger goals in mind. I would love all the above clinchers to happen. But the main goal is two months from now, that's it. Haters will hate, i will sit back, let them get their enjoyment from doing so and revel in making the playoffs for the ninth in 10 years with a great shot at the silver chalice.