The Rangers have been atop the Eastern Conference since Dec. 27. Their lead over the second-closest team was as high as 12 points on March 6. But here we are with about a dozen games left in the regular season, and the Rangers are nursing a four-point lead over the Penguins for both the division and conference lead.
That is why Sunday night’s 4-3 overtime win against the Islanders was crucial for the Rangers, who stopped the bleeding after three straight losses. While a showdown with the streaking Penguins looms Thursday, first things first. And that would be the Hurricanes tonight in the second of seven straight home games for the Rangers.
“[Carolina is] playing loose. They are playing a lot better lately. You have to be very focused and hopefully we can keep the momentum going from [Sunday night]. It was a strong finish,” said Henrik Lundqvist after yesterday’s practice.
Lundqvist, who had gone 12 straight games allowing two goals or fewer, has allowed three or more in each of his past five games for the first time in over a year. He had been the victim of some bad breaks along the way.
“You try not to get frustrated. Obviously it is not a good feeling to give up three goals, but right now you just have to work a little harder to get the wins, to make the saves. I’m not going to over-think it. I don’t think we are playing bad, it’s just some bad bounces,” he said.
In five games in March, Lundqvist has allowed 16 goals. To put things in perspective, he allowed 13 total goals in 10 February games, and 16 goals in both December (10 games) and January (nine games). Lundqvist still boasts a minuscule 1.88 goals against average and a .935 save percentage.
“We’ve had some good games but just let them get away from us and found ways to lose,” defenseman Ryan McDonagh said. “Scoring chances were down. I think [Sunday] there were some goofy bounces and some goals, and you’re not going to get them all the time. It is just a matter of fighting through adversity.”
Despite allowing 22 goals over their past six games, the Rangers have still allowed the fewest goals in the Eastern Conference (148), and are second in the league behind only St. Louis (135).
“It’s important that I stick to my game,’’ Lundqvist said. “Hopefully we will turn it around.’’
* Ryan Callahan, listed as day-to-day with a foot injury, did not skate yesterday. Coach John Tortorella hinted that Mats Zuccarello will once again be in the lineup tonight in his place.