BOSTON — The mathematics of it didn’t make much sense.
The Rangers were not only outshot last night by the Bruins 18-3 in the third period, 32-8 over the final 40 minutes and 42-20 overall, the Rangers were out-attempted 34-5 in the third, 63-14 over the final two periods and 79-31 overall and yet, the final score was 3-0, Rangers.
But then, mathematics didn’t quite explain the brilliance of Henrik Lundqvist, who recorded his fifth shutout in his last 19 starts, a stretch during which The King has surrendered no more than one goal 10 times and two or fewer in 16.
Under constant fire after the Rangers emerged from the first period with a 2-0 lead on goals from Ryan Callahan — on the power play — and Ryan McDonagh, Lundqvist was aggressive and square to the shooter on essentially every try in earning the Broadway Hat by acclamation.
Rangers coach John Tortorella said, “Hank should have six hats [for this game].”
Lundqvist reduced his goals-against average to 1.77 with his NHL-leading seventh shutout.
“I was more determined coming into this season,” he said. “It’s my seventh season; the clock is ticking.”
The clock is suddenly ticking on the Eastern Conference. The Rangers have won four straight, have gone 8-1-1 in their last 10 and 36-10-2 since opening 3-3-3, and have blasted to a nine-point conference lead over Boston and a 10-point Atlantic lead over Philadelphia and Pittsburgh. The Rangers have 27 games remaining, the Bruins 28, the Flyers and Penguins 26 apiece.
“Obviously it looks good when you check the standings, and we’ve created some separation, but this is where we really have to bear down,” Dan Girardi said.