ATLANTA — It was guts and glory here last night for the Black-and-Blueshirts, who lost two more pieces of the core to injuries by the start of the third period, but nevertheless refused to concede despite trailing after 40 minutes.
They refused to concede, this team with a work ethic and a fabric unmatched in years and years, they refused to stop believing, even with Dan Girardi (rib cage muscle) and Brandon Prust (foot) done and the score 2-1 against.
They refused to quit after failing on a third-period 5-on-3 power play that lasted 1:34. And when Brian Boyle, by leaps and bounds the Rangers’ best player, scored on a singular effort by splitting All-Star defense pair Dustin Byfuglien and Tobias Enstrom before beating Ondrej Pavelec from the right dot at 14:41 of the third, the Rangers were on their way to a stirring 3-2 victory in the shootout in which Henrik Lundqvist made a lone goal by Mats Zuccarello (3-for-3) stand up.
Prust, who has skated as Boyle’s linemate throughout the season, hobbled through the second period after blocking a Byfuglien shot late in the first. He was on the bench for the start of the third when coach John Tortorella sent him to the locker room.
“Pruster is a warrior — it’s an honor to play with that guy,” Boyle said. “I’ll tell you what: If we all try to play like him, we’ll be a better team.”
Girardi, who left the morning skate early accompanied by trainer Jim Ramsay, was injured in a fight with Andrew Ladd at 8:08 of the second after coming to the aid of partner Marc Staal, who had been sent flying into the rear boards by the tough Atlanta winger.
Staal absolved Ladd of blame on the hit while lauding Girardi, who also likely sustained a broken nose in the bout, for coming to his defense.
“It wasn’t from behind, it was as much me turning the wrong way and falling awkwardly,” Staal said. “What Danny did, jumping in there for me, it’s great. It was a great job.”
Prust did not suffer a break, but is questionable for tomorrow night’s match in Washington against the Capitals. Girardi is doubtful at best, given that the Blueshirts recalled Michael Del Zotto from the AHL Whale following the match. Evgeny Grachev was also summoned, with Dale Weise going the other way.
“I don’t know what kind of a lineup we’ll have, but we’ll be there [tomorrow],” Tortorella said.
They’ll be there tomorrow with a team that’s ready to strap on the hard hats and compete, the way they have through the first 50 games.
“It’s such a good feeling to know that if I’m at the top of my game, we have a really good chance to win,” said Lundqvist, who was at the top of his game in recording his third shutout shootout victory in four tries. “It’s a great feeling we have in here, even with so many new guys.
“We had a meeting on Friday about playing our system, about defense first, and we took that onto the ice in this game. I think everybody felt confident all game.
“It’s great to know that we always work hard and never give up no matter what. Even with all these new faces, we don’t feel stressed out about the situation.”
Two more guys down, two more points picked up. Guts and glory in Atlanta for the Black-and-Blueshirts.
larry.brooks@nypost.com