The well-rested New York Rangers brought some firepower to the Sunshine State with a flurry of goals in the first that added to a 4-0 lead after the one. The Rangers would get another for the crease in the final session, as Henrik Lundqvist would score his second shutout in nine games to wrap up the win.
Desperate for points with just six games to go and now just five, the two points earned put the Rangers within two points of the Flyers and Bruins for the final breath of the playoffs.
Trying not to focus on what the other teams are doing and minding your own business is what coach John Tortorella emphasized in his pregame interview. But he said what’s going on in the Eastern Conference is hard not to look at what’s going on around him with the teams the Rangers are chasing.
Minding their own business is what the Rangers have been doing of late, as they’ve picked up nine out of a possible ten points in their last five games.
Put the puck in the goal and good things will happen, as the Rangers proved that point in last night’s game when two of the Rangers’ goals went wide of the Tampa Bay Lightning players in the first. Vinny Prospal and Brandon Dubinsky were credited with the Rangers goals which were shot with a skate and Lightning stick to give the Rangers a 3 and 4 goal lead.
The other scorers were Brandon Purst, Marc Staal and Aaron Voros, unlikely contributors on offense who helped the Rangers’ cause.
Now there are only five more left to play, the next step for the Rangers is the Florida Panthers. Another team out of the playoff picture that will try to spoil. It’s Marian Gaborik’s turn to have a big game like the Rangers greats did in Tampa.
Anything can happen with only five games to play and five teams fighting for three playoff spots. Two points out of eighth place and the Rangers are playing well with the Flyers and the Canadiens playing not so well. Let’s not all forget who we’re playing the last two games of the season.
Mark the last two games of the season as the first round of the playoffs.
For more information on the Eastern Conference Playoff race with video, visit http://www.puckvideo.com