Postgame: Rangers Return to Playoff Position with 4-1 Win Over Cats

Tonight’s 4-1 victory over the Florida Panthers will bring the New York Rangers back into the playoff picture, putting them in eighth place in the Eastern Conference heading into Christmas break. Their fourth straight win was one of the more satisfying ones of the season, as it took a great amount of effort to be able to score four against a Panthers team that has been playing very well. I mentioned in the pregame that the Blueshirts have been struggling to play a 60-minute game, but that was not the case in this contest, as immediately after allowing an early goal to Florida, the game would forever change in favor of New York.

The early goal came from Victor Oreskovich, as the Rangers were caught on a change, no forwards were back, and Rozsival missed the puck on an attempt to clear it from the front of the net. Oreskovich found it and put it passed past Lundqvist for an early advantage. However, the Rangers responded with a huge goal, ignited by the speed and effort of Enver Lisin. Lisin first beat out a delayed icing call, then fought along the boards, eventually finding Chris Drury in the slot for the 0ne-timer. That one-timer deflected off of a Panther defenseman and into the back of the net, giving the Captain his third goal in four games.

In the second period, the Blueshirts were put on the powerplay five minutes into the stanza when Vinny Prospal broke a 14-game goal drought with a powerplay tally that gave the Rangers a 2-1 edge at that point. That goal would be the only one that was scored in the period, as both Lundqvist and Vokoun were marvelous in net for their respective clubs.

Just 23 seconds into the third period, Brandon Dubinsky fed Vinny Prospal in the slot, who tapped one past Vokoun for his second goal of the night and eighth on the season. Eleven minutes later, the Blueshirts were doing one heck of a job killing off a Panthers powerplay, when Chris Drury was tripped up at center ice, but pushed the puck to a bolting Gaborik, who beat Vokoun 5-hole on the shorthanded breakaway. That goal was Gaborik’s 26th of the season and put the icing on the cake for the Rangers.

The Rangers were backstopped by yet another performance from goaltender Henrik Lundqvist in net. The game’s first star made 33 saves in the game, two of which were complete robberies. One was on Horton at the goal mouth and the other on Frolik with the glove. Like I said, when Henrik is at the top of his game, the Rangers have about a twenty to thirty percent better chance of coming out of a tilt with two points, and that has been the case here. Henrik is finally having fun and taking some pressure off of himself, as opposed to the losing stretch when he was breaking sticks and what not.

Then there was the play of Captain Chris Drury. This was probably his best game of the season so far, picking up a goal and an assist on the night. Dru has definitely turned things up a notch here, and is playing some great hockey. The effort has been there, he is taking shots every chance he gets, and has been receiving more ice time from Tortorella. The same could be said of Ryan Callahan, who was spectacular in the game. Cally picked up an assist, as well as 17:36 of ice time. He was crucial on the penalty-kill, something I pointed out in this morning’s player check-up.

Marian Gaborik and Vinny Prospal are beginning to click yet again, both displaying a solid effort in this one. Gaborik had seven shots on goal, one of which was his 26th of the season and we are not even halfway through the regular season yet. He continues to impress with his speed, his shooting, and pretty much everything else about him. Prospal looked really good in the contest, having himself the second 2-goal night of this season. For one million dollars, Prospal is the second highest scorer on this Ranger club--one of the better signings by GM Glen Sather in quite a while.

I would also like to acknowledge the play of Enver Lisin and Sean Avery, who played with a similar attitude. That attitude being a relentless one, one in which these two did not stop skating and creating chances around the net. Both were in the middle of everything tonight, something that is not usually the case for Lisin, but usual for Avery. I really like what I am seeing from these individuals, and I think I am speaking on behalf of Coach Tortorella when I say that too.

Matt Gilroy, Dan Girardi, Marc Staal, and Michael Del Zotto were the standouts on defense in my eyes. Gilroy is now playing the physically engaged game Tortorella wants to see from him, and is even seeing some powerplay time. Gilroy, while he may not be hitting the net as much as he may like, was shooting the puck often, which is also a good sign. Staal and Del Zotto were more noticeable in their own zone, as was Dan Girardi. Their smooth defensive plays and effectiveness when collapsing to the net paid off and kept the Florida chances down to a limit.

Four in a row, back in the playoffs, scoring more than two goals…..is there any better of a way to enter the Holiday? I really cannot think of one, especially with the fourth meeting of the season with the Islanders coming up the day after Christmas. This could be the turning point in the season, after a horrid month of November, but consistency will be the key factor moving forward.
(Photos courtesy of Getty Images)