GETTING RICHER: Brad Richards recorded his first career hat trick in Friday’s 8-4 trouncing of the Sabres, and hopes to keep up his offensive punch today, when the Rangers play host to the Devils. (AP)
The Rangers arrive at the final week of the regular season with their confidence at one of its highest points after scoring 14 goals in back-to-back victories, their playoff destiny on their sticks and skates.
What will lead to that precious playoff berth is exactly what has led to these last two victories and seven wins in their previous 10 for the eighth-place Rangers — their ability to bounce back from slumps in an uneven season with belief in themselves and their game and consistency in their approach.
“Our guys have gone about it the right way,” Rangers coach John Tortorella said after practice yesterday in advance of this afternoon’s meeting with the Devils at the Garden. “Just worrying about the next day.”
The fiery coach acknowledged the expectations on this team, the exceedingly high hopes after last year’s run to the conference finals, and said he senses it wore on a few of his players.
One of them, center Brad Richards, has been at the heart of the offensive explosion. Like his team for much of this lockout-shortened season, Richards has led the charge of late. He notched his first career hat trick in Friday’s 8-4 thrashing of the Sabres in Buffalo after recording a goal and an assist in Thursday’s 6-1 rout of the Panthers at the Garden.
“When offensive people put some numbers on the board, score some goals, it certainly makes them feel better, and hopefully it will continue,” Tortorella said.
Tortorella dismissed the idea of the Rangers’ remaining schedule being easy. The rival Devils, who the Blueshirts will see twice, are still alive after yesterday’s 6-2 romp over the Panthers and just got back offensive force Ilya Kovalchuk.
The Panthers may have an Eastern Conference-low 32 points, but they will be at home, where they are a respectable 7-10-5, as will the pesky Hurricanes.
The Rangers are feeling good about themselves, and while the chance is slim, they could finish as high as fifth in the Eastern Conference. In the Rangers’ past two contests, they played with a sense of urgency and got a few lucky bounces as their offense went into overdrive.
“We haven’t changed anything in our game,” Tortorella said. “Some guys have made plays.
“When you win, I think players relax a little bit. A lot of these players this year, there’s a lot of expectations on this team. Some of them aren’t used to it. I think they are playing with more confidence right now, and they should. You start winning games, get on a run, things tend to flow.”
* Derek Dorsett is inching toward his return from a broken clavicle after skating with the Rangers yesterday in non-contact drills and taking shots. The right wing, acquired from the Blue Jackets along with Derick Brassard, John Moore and a sixth-round draft pick in the trade for Marian Gaborik, was placed on injured reserve by Columbus after sustaining the injury March 7.
A physical forward and four-year veteran, Dorsett, who had three goals and six assists in 24 games with the Blue Jackets before the injury, expects to undergo an X-ray next week before taking the next step in his return. …
Defenseman Marc Staal, out of action since March 5, when he was struck by a puck above his right eye, practiced with the team and tried out a new tinted visor. … Defenseman John Moore (day off) didn’t practice.