The Rangers like to think they are headed in the right direction, despite Friday’s setback 3-2 loss to the Senators. They see it in their gritty play, resiliency and four-game winning streak preceding their loss to Ottawa — qualities that reminded them of last year’s glorious regular season.
A big part of that was success on the road, which is exactly where the Rangers’ fortunes will be determined this season.
At the halfway point of the lockout-shortened campaign, the Rangers have played just eight games away from Madison Square Garden, and will play as many on road ice over the next three weeks starting with today’s matchup against the Capitals in Washington.
Though they have begun to feel comfortable again at the Garden, the Rangers (12-9-2, 26 points) are looking forward to getting out on the road and to improve upon their 3-4-1 mark there.
“Sometimes going on the road is good, you’ve got that road warrior mentality,” defenseman Ryan McDonagh said. “You play with a different mindset. You’re all alone against 18,000 fans. Sometimes that’s a good feeling and a way to rise to the occasion, bring your game to another level.”
The Rangers have been a very good road team in recent years, going 24-12-5 last year away from home and 24-16-1 the season before.
“Sometimes when you play on the road, you don’t feel like you have to put on a show,” Henrik Lundqvist said. “You go out there and try to play very simple. Your main focus is just to get it done.”
The Capitals, in spite of their sub-.500 record, will test the Rangers. They have played better of late — yesterday’s 5-2 loss to the Islanders at the Coliseum notwithstanding — and remain loaded on the attack with Alex Ovechkin and Mike Ribeiro.
“Their top guys are always the toughest challenge,” Lundqvist said. “We’ll try to control them. Playing in that building is always loud and a lot of energy. It’s a big game for us.”
* Brian Boyle was on the ice for yesterday’s practice, on the fourth line with Jeff Halpern and Michael Haley, but coach John Tortorella didn’t make it seem as if Boyle would return to the lineup today.
“Everything [needs to be] better,” Tortorella said. “I’m not going to go into specifics. He just hasn’t played well enough to be a part of this. Everything needs to be better in his game.”
The 28-year-old, sixth-year pro has suffered through a forgettable season, producing just an assist and a minus-7 in 19 games. He is averaging just 13:49 of ice time and has been a healthy scratch four times — the first time since 2009.
Boyle was short in his comments after practice.
“[Today] is a new day, I’m getting ready for that,” he said. “I’m ready to go.” …
Before he can get a true read on newly acquired Roman Hamrlik, Tortorella said the veteran blue-liner’s conditioning needs to improve. Hamrlik totaled 15:48 in Thursday’s 2-1 overtime victory over the Islanders, but just 7:29 Friday night.
Hamrlik, 38, was acquired off waivers from the Capitals after Marc Staal was hit in the eye with a deflected puck in Tuesday’s win over the Flyers and will be sidelined indefinitely. Hamrlik appeared in just four games for the Cap this seasons, but did play in 68 games last year. …
It was a full practice for the Rangers, aside from Staal (face), Aaron Asham (back) and Dan Girardi (rest). Stu Bickel practiced as a defenseman after seeing action as a forward against Ottawa.