2 Nash goals help Rangers bash Flyers
LIFE IN THE loaded Metro Division is such that a few wins or a few losses in succession for any team could represent the difference between being in a playoff position and tumbling into last place.
The Rangers and the Flyers certainly had been heading in opposite direc- tions in the standings this month, before the Blueshirts rode five straight goals to a needed 5-1 victory over Philadelphia at the Garden on Tuesday in the first of four meetings between the longtime rivals this season.
“I can’t remember the last time we were standing here talking about us playing a complete game,” said Rick Nash, who halted a month-long scoring drought with a two-goal showing. “Even though we gave up the first one, it was one of the best games we’ve played in a long time.”
Michael Grabner also potted his 20th of the season and Henrik Lundqvist made 25 saves for the Rangers, who hadn’t posted a regulation win over their previous 10 games (3-5-2).
“It’s funny how that works. We play our best defensive game in a very long time, and we score five goals,” Lundqvist said. “I don’t know when the last time was we scored five goals.
“We’ve been talking about it for a while, but I think tonight it clicked. The big thing I take away from this game is the defensive game that we played.”
Any such defensive effort, as always, starts from the nets, and Lundqvist was sharp throughout in becoming the first goalie in NHL history to record at least 20 wins in each of his first 13 seasons.
“Every time they say, ‘first time in NHL history,’ that’s pretty cool because it’s been around for a while, I’m not going to lie,” Lundqvist said. “I’ve been working hard, but I always say this, I’ve been very lucky to play with a lot of great players. The first five, six years with all the legends you played with, really. You learn from really good players. I’m honored and proud.” Lundqvist surrendered a deflection goal to Jordan Weal just 2:04 into the game, but Pavel Buchnevich sprung Nash behind the Philly defense barely four minutes later, and the veteran winger beat Brian Elliott for his first goal in 13 games, since Dec. 15.
After Lundqvist denied Claude Giroux’s shorthanded bid — which coach Alain Vigneault dubbed “a big turning point” — J.T. Miller tipped in Ryan McDonagh’s power-play wrister at 16:50 for a 2-1 lead.
AHL callup Peter Holland fed Paul Carey for a shorthanded breakaway goal with 9.4 left in the opening session, marking the Rangers’ first shorty of the season.
Grabner picked Jacob Voracek’s pocket and buried his 20th midway through the middle session, before Nash added his second score of the game for a 5-1 game late in the period.
“Personally, I feel like my game has been good. I just haven’t been able to put the puck in the net, and tonight, two go in,” said Nash, who now has 11 goals on the season. “It’s not that big of a deal to me. That’s what I’m supposed to do.”
BLACK AND BLUESHIRTS:
Marc Staal suffered a hip flexor in the second period and didn’t return, but Vigneault said afterward: “I don’t think it’s serious.”
McDonagh notched a first-period assist and logged 21:01 in his return to the lineup after missing Sunday’s game in Pittsburgh with back spasms.