The Rangers have at least gained a measure of equilibrium by splitting their last six games, a span during which they have surrendered just 12 goals.
And having won two of three coming off of Tuesday night’s entertaining 3-2 victory over the Islanders, the Blueshirts will seek to string two in a row for the first time when the Sabres come to the Garden on Thursday night wearing their black hats (but white helmets).
The Rangers will attempt to build off their energetic 60-minute display on Long Island that was at least partially fueled by Carl Hagelin’s return to the lineup following his opening 10-game stint on the long-term injury list, during which he finished his rehab and recovery from offseason shoulder surgery.
If Alain Vigneault called the recently demoted Jesper Fast, “Quickie,” then what’s the coach’s nickname for Hagelin; “Quicker?” Or maybe, “Quickest.”
Because if there was a puck to be had, there was Hagelin, whose speed can be intimidating and intoxicating, on it. There were the Rangers, one line after another and one shift after another, creating turnovers, mounting sustained time below the hash marks in the Islanders’ zone.
It was contagious, and a lot of it was Hagelin, who was beaming after a night on which he played a very effective 17:15 that culminated in the neat pass linemate Benoit Pouliot banged home on a one-timer for the winner at 13:46 of the third period.
“I was so excited to get back. I just love playing hockey and being with the guys,” said Hagelin, who took a regular turn on the penalty-kill unit. “I knew I was going to be out for 10 games, so I wasn’t frustrated sitting out. I was concentrating on doing my work so that I would be ready as soon as I was eligible to play.”
Ryan Callahan is often the engine that ignites the Rangers’ forecheck and down-low game, but with or without the captain (down for another couple weeks with a broken thumb), Hagelin brings a different gear to the game.
“I just went out there with energy and didn’t hold anything back,” Hagelin said. “As for my shoulder, Cally told me that once I got out there with all the adrenaline I wouldn’t even feel it, and he was right.”
Callahan also underwent shoulder surgery after last year’s playoffs. He rehabbed during camp and missed the first game of the season before returning in Los Angeles on Oct. 7. He then went down with the broken thumb he sustained blocking a shot in Washington in his fifth match.
Vigneault’s predecessor, John Tortorella, loved Hagelin’s speed and ability to hound the puck. Whatever differences in style or philosophy between the two coaches, the change will not change No. 62’s mandate.
“It comes down to me doing what I’m able to do,” Hagelin said. “There are things I can do better, it’s up to me to finish my chances.
“It’s not the coach. No coach is going to change me.”
Dominic Moore, who sat out the final two periods of the match on the Island with an unidentified upper-body injury he sustained in the final minute of the first period, is doubtful for Thursday. Brandon Mashinter is the lone spare forward on the roster.
The Sabres, who are 30th overall at 2-11-1, will be without Patrick Kaleta, serving the final game of the 10-game suspension he received for his Oct. 10 head shot on Columbus’ Jack Johnson, and without slow-footed enforcer and short-time Ranger John Scott, who is having an in-person hearing on Thursday with the NHL Department of Safety regarding his Oct. 23 head shot on Boston’s Loui Eriksson.
Scott, who has been under suspension since the incident, will miss his fourth game on Thursday.